Sokito Scudetta took the football boot world by storm just over two years ago when William Troost-Ekong stepped out for Nigeria in the African Cup of Nations. Now Sokito have released the next evolution of the Scudetta in the BioTouch Emerald colourway, but how does it hold up and how do they compare to the previous model?

Firstly, let’s discuss the biggest change, the upper. The BioTouch features a completely new upper material that goes around the entire boot. It’s softer, more pliable and slightly more padded to provide a very natural and barefoot touch on the ball. Think of the synthetics of the 2010s era, but actually soft and not plasticky.

Compare that to the upper on the previous model, where it was just the biovamp material in the forefoot and the non-stretch material in the quarter. I would say that the BioTouch offers a more luxurious feel because of this change.

The comfort and fit of the boot has changed, and when I say changed, I mean upgraded! The boot now has a stitch-turn heel, and the entire inner lining of the boot uses a suede-like material which offers a premium and plush feel straight out of the box.

It feels like your feet melt into the boot. The tongue construction and laces are also different.

Sokito have made it such that they provide easier adjustability and make the fit more versatile to adapt to more foot types. Wearers of the original Scudetta would also be glad to know that the toe box has a bit more space as well, however I would still personally advise that most players get a half UK size up from what they would wear in a Nike or Adidas.

Sokito Scudetta Biotouch FG

The only thing that the boot retains from the original Scudetta is the soleplate. As the saying goes, if it’s not broken, don’t fix it.

It still offers that responsive push off the ground and aggressive traction to feel sharper during cutting movements. These boots also still maintain Sokito’s message of sustainability, as they are still made mostly from recycled and biobased materials.

Overall, the Sokito Scudetta BioTouch has kept what made the original a success and built on top of it to make improvements based on community feedback and the natural evolution of football boot design. A great boot that a player of any level of the game would appreciate and enjoy wearing. If you’re thinking about picking up a pair, don’t think twice!

How we test football boots

Here at FourFourTwo, our boot testing procedure is all about getting boots on our feet and personally trying them out in kickabouts, training sessions and matches. Our writers test each pair over a number of weeks, in various playing conditions, in order to get a proper idea of what they're like on a football pitch.

This is the best way to find out if boots are better suited for firmer or softer ground, what level of traction they offer and how else they're geared towards improving a player's game. We're passionate about football boots and regularly attend launch events and Q&As to get as much information as possible from manufacturers and designers before we begin.

All of our reviews are honest (despite working with brands, nobody can "buy" a good review from us) and we always have real footballers in mind when giving recommendations.

If this summer's World Cup is to be the last for Lionel Messi, Adidas is intent on sending him off in style.

World Cup 2026 will be played in familiar environs for the Argentina and Inter Miami icon, who holds the distinction of being the captain of the current club champions in his domestic league as well as the continental and world champions at international level.

Messi has been an ambassador for Adidas throughout his career, which peaked two years ago when he finally lifted the World Cup trophy. He'll turn 39 during this summer's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, so his long-time partners have opted for a 'golden hour' colourway for what could be his swansong on the world stage.

Buy the new Adidas F50 Messi Hora Dorada

The Adidas F50 Messi Hora Dorada is the latest addition to the brand's SS26 Messi Packs. According to the sportswear giants, "Hora Dorada captures the warmth and glow of late-day light, reinterpreted through a modern performance lens."

"The boot features a rich, radiant upper blending tones of ice tangerine and pure orange, creating a luminous gradient that flows dynamically from heel to toe.... Metallic gold accents elevate key details, including the three stripes on the forefoot, adding a premium, archive-inspired touch."

Messi and the F50 go foot in shoe. The former Barcelona player has been wearing the classic Adidas speed boot forever and various signature colour versions have appeared on his plates over the years.

Adidas has celebrated major trophy wins and Ballon d'Or coronations by bedecking Messi in fresh one-off designs, and this latest addition is an eye-catching tribute to one of the greatest ever footballers in the twilight of an extraordinary career.

Doubts have been cast over Messi's participation at World Cup 2026 but there's been no substantial suggestion that he doesn't intend to lead Argentina's title defence. It seems highly unlikely the Albiceleste skipper won't take to the field in the orange glow of the early evening and his new boots in June.

Argentina kick off their World Cup defence with a Group J opener against Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16.

Their second group stage fixture is six days later against Austria at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, before Group J concludes at the same stadium against Jordan.

Lionel Scaloni has been coy about Messi's plans for the summer, and the new F50 Messi is yet another reason to hope the Argentina captain steps out onto the turf in Kansas City in June.

What's your verdict? Is Hora Dorada a fitting way to see out Messi's wonderful international career?

The city of Milan will be playing host to the 2026 Winter Olympics next month and is the source of inspiration for Internazionale's new fourth kit.

The Games kick off on February 6 and Nike has seen this as the perfect opportunity to get creative with their branding and give Inter an eye-catching new shirt option for the rest of the 2025/26 campaign.

Cristian Chivu's side is currently top of Serie A by three points as they look to reclaim the title that Napoli won last year.

Buy the new Winter Olympic-inspired Nike Inter Milan 2025/26 fourth kit

The new kit largely sticks to the classic black and blue Inter stylings, but drops the stripes for a colourblock design with a blue upper, back mid and lower parts, plus a dash of colour with bold orange logos and side panels.

One big devaition from the norm is that there is no Nike Swoosh on the shirt, with the American sports company opting to use their ACG logo.

This stands for Nike's All Conditions Gear series, their rugged outdoor line that is pitched towards the great outdoors and the various weather and terrain conditions that may entail.

The ACG logo appears in an orange triangle on the front of the shirt and also inside the collar, accompanied by the message: 'Internazionale. All Conditions Gear. Milano.'

While the shirt on its own might not be enough to keep you warm if you're heading up into the Dolomites over the next few weeks, it's a very tidy, neat design.

The orange lettering and side panels on the shirt and shorts - plus the snazzy socks - are what makes this kit sing, as it maintains the usual elegance that you'd expect from Inter, while also adding in a new, modern dimension.

As well as the regular fourth kit, there's also a pre-match shirt, a special goalkeeper kit, an anthem jacket and other accessories.

The collection is available from Monday, January 19 and will be worn for the first time by Inter in their match against Pisa at the San Siro on Friday, January 23.

Will you be flocking to this shirt when January payday finally comes calling? Let us know what you think below the line.

The World Cup is heading for Mexico for the third time in 2026, which also marks the 40th anniversary of the second competition played there.

World Cup 1986 was due to be played in Colombia but 1970 hosts Mexico stepped in when the original hosts pulled out. It was a classic tournament, not universally beloved but remembered for Diego Maradona's handball, glorious solo goal and ascent to the top of the world.

Mexico themselves won their group and reached the quarter-finals in a simple but spectacular green shirt that's been reproduced by Adidas ahead of this summer's World Cup.

Buy the new Adidas Mexico home shirt 1986

The vintage remake is a faithful recreation of a classic and the details are flawless. The all-green body and sleeves are trimmed with white, including the clean white three stripes that anchor the shirt in the eighties.

El Tri's old badge returns, oversized just as it was in 1986, and the famous Adidas trefoil logo, slightly smaller than the original, sits just under the collarbone. The combination V-neck and cutaway white collar looks as classy as it did 40 years ago.

Mexico were eliminated as one of the last eight at their home tournament without losing a match. They were the unbeaten winners of Group B, beating Belgium and Iraq, either side of a draw with Paraguay.

They won 2-0 against Bulgaria in the round of 16 before a goalless draw and penalty shoot-out defeat against West Germany ended their participation at the quarter-final stage.

Adidas says that the vintage shirt, which is available online for £90, is a tribute to an iconic World Cup and a representation of Mexico's rich football history. The updated material and slightly more vibrant shade of green are the only real deviations from a stellar original – and it feels a lot more minimalistic than the 2026 home shirt.

World Cup 1986 was notable not only for the Hand of God and Maradona's coronation as the king of football but also for Belgium's run to the semi-finals and a round of 16 comparatively full of goals. Belgium and Brazil both scored four in their respective ties. Spain scored five against Denmark.

The top goalscorer was England legend Gary Lineker, whose six-goal haul was one larger than Maradona, Careca and Emilio Butragueno. Defender Fernando Quirarte was the only player to score more than once for the hosts.

By honouring a popular shirt from a tournament on home soil, Adidas has given collectors, enthusiasts and fans a special souvenir at the start of a very modern World Cup year.

What do you think? Are you in favour of a sleek and accurate homage or is the vintage shirt market not for you?

Lionel Messi's iconic Adidas Argentina 2006 shirts have been released, two decades after the tournament.

If Messi plays at the 2026 World Cup, he will play in his sixth tournament – so to take things all the way back to the very first in 2006, Adidas have dropped the shirts that started it all on the world stage for the GOAT.

Get ready for a heavy dose of nostalgia…

Buy the new Lionel Messi inspired Adidas Argentina 2006 shirts and jacket

Adidas have just dropped remakes of some classic F50 boots, giving the iconic F50 Tunits a Messi-moulded makeover.

We couldn't help but notice that stunning shirt in the background… and now it's gotten its own release, too, along with the away top from that tournament. Get in.

2006 saw Adidas take a step back to the 1970s – the last time Germany had hosted the World Cup – with a thick, continental typeface and lovely curves, following Euro 2004's sharp futurism.

This was the Teamgeist template, with that ‘infinity’-esque shape all over the national team kits, and Argentina had two of the finest in the entire tournament. The Albaceleste were arguably the best team in the competition, too, flying in the group stage before they were stunned by a young, exciting German side who beat them on pens (been there, guys).

20 years on and these shirts look as beautiful as they ever did, reimagined to the finest detail – and that includes just the two stars hovering over the badge, since Messi added the third in 2022.

These tops are only available with Messi on the back – apologies if you were a massive fan of Gabriel Heinze or Fabricio Coloccini – and yes, that means the squad number is 19… since Juan Roman Riquelme took the 10 that tournament.

The Team Mode collection contains a remake of the home, away, the track jacket and the track pants, but hey, what else is there to spend your money on in January?

Argentina have already released what could become a cult classic home top for 2026, but if you're anything like us, you just can't beat the classics.

Will your bank account be taking a hit with this one? Or not bothered? Tell us below the line.

New Adidas F50 Tunit boots have dropped, 20 years on from the original, in a tribute to Lionel Messi.

Messi wore the original Tunit boots, which were pretty damn innovative for Adidas at the time, and a sign of football boots moving to a more plastic-looking material and away from the traditional black leather that we all knew and loved.

They've re-released gunmetal Predators lately, featuring Sir David Beckham, and those iconic ‘Spider’ F50 boots that Djibril Cisse wore… so now for another classic.

Buy the new Lionel Messi inspired Adidas F50 Tunit boots

The Adidas F50 boots originally launched in 2004 – the German manufacturer's answer to Nike's Mercurial Vapor – designed for speed and weightlessness.

The spider-style effort dropped a year later, before 2006 brought a whole new ball game in screw-in studs: these boots looked like they were made of plastic, and were the first model that Messi wore as an Adidas athlete when he went to his first World Cup in 2006, wearing that iconic Teamgeist kit and a pair of white Tunits.

2006 wasn't the greatest World Cup for the then-wonderkid, as an Argentina side that were head-and-shoulders better than everyone else capitulated against hosts Germany, and Messi was denied a chance to take a penalty in the shootout… still, a very stylish World Cup.

FourFourTwo understands that Tunit-inspired boots could be coming this year in colours of competing nations at the 2026 World Cup – but for now, we've been given a 20-year anniversary of the GOAT donning this legendary boot.

“This limited-edition release is a is a modern reinterpretation of the original 2006 F50 Tunit worn by Messi, celebrating the boot that accompanied the beginning of his journey at the highest level of the game,” Adidas tells us now.

“Featuring a white base with iconic white-and-blue color-blocked detailing on the heel, the boot stays true to its original aesthetic. The lateral side showcases the number 10, representing Messi’s legendary status today, while the medial side features the number 19, paying homage to the number he wore in 2006 when he first stepped onto the world stage in this very boot.”

In a lovely touch, there's a gold Adidas logo on the heel, complete with three golden stars representing Argentina’s World Cup victories (of course, they'd only won the competition twice in 2006).

Each pair is delivered in a specially designed shoebox and includes a dustbag and exclusive Messi-specific stickers, which might be worth the money as much as the actual boots themselves.

What do you reckon? Will you be rushing to cop a pair or not fussed by these ones?

Adidas F50 Spider remake boots have dropped, unlocking a core memory for those of us of a certain age.

The German manufacturer released one of the best boots of the year recently with their new Predator model, which pays tribute to David Beckham's iconic gunmetal era – and the nostalgia just keeps on coming with new F50s.

If you know, you know…

Buy the new Adidas F50 Spider

First came the Adidas F50 boots in 2004 – Adi's answer to Nike's Mercurial Vapor –fronted by the likes of Ashley Cole and Djibril Cisse, and were a different kind of cool: minimal black-and-yellow efforts with a larger strike zone and no obvious inclusion of the iconic Three Stripes, unlike the Predator range.

A year later, the manufacturer updated these boots to the Adidas F50+, with a broader appeal: the black-and-blue was cooler, the Three Stripes crept back in, and the boots were launched with an unbelievable magazine advert (remember those?) with Cisse at the forefront.

20 years on, the F50+ has been retrospectively renamed the F50 Spider for the netting pattern that surrounds the heel, as Adidas pay tribute to two decades of the boot – featuring Cisse in an altogether less cinematic photoshoot.

The beauty of these football boots were that they felt like Adidas letting loose: while the Preds followed a formula, there was no set idea of what the F50s could or should be, with this design incredibly creative for the time.

The black/blue colourway was obviously the coolest, followed by a white/red version that inverted the style, then white/black efforts, before a champagne version came out.

Well, the new boots are faithful to the originals, bringing the same textures – the leather front and mesh and back – only with a more modern heel plate providing additional support.

Following in the footsteps of Cisse, fellow Liverpool alumnus Florian Wirtz has been wearing the new versions of the boots.

The new boot “Celebrates two decades of speed innovation while bridging heritage craftsmanship with contemporary design,” according to Adidas themselves, with this remake part of the Made In Germany series of updates.

What do you think, though? A remake you always wanted to see, or a forgotten boot for a reason?

The Adidas Predator 2026 has been released – with a callback to 2003.

Over 30 years since their original release, the Preds are still one of the best boots on the market, steeped in nostalgia from the likes of David Beckham and Steven Gerrard having donned them at their height, but nowadays worn by the likes of Jude Bellingham, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Aitana Bonmati and Pedri.

So it's fitting that Real Madrid stars Bellingham and Alexander-Arnold are, in fact, on board for this new release – which harks back to Los Blancos heritage.

Buy the new Adidas Predator 2026

After the recent remake of Adidas's iconic Predator Manias in the gunmetal colourway worn by David Beckham during his maiden season in Spanish football, the 2026 editions of the boot have been given a silver service, too.

The boots remain true to the classics with exactly the same grey-and-chrome touches, complete with a red tongue, with Jude and Trent featuring in the photoshoot with greyed-out eyes.

“Bringing back the iconic Gunmetal colourway first used on the Predator franchise in 2003, the latest Predator celebrates the boot’s iconic legacy while looking firmly at the future,” Adidas tells us now. “The combination of metallic silver Three Stripes and infrared detailing evokes Predator’s unmistakable presence – a boot designed to make a statement both in performance and appearance.”

They've nailed it: but there's far more to these new boots than just a sleek new silver look, with Adidas having packed more tech into this model than ever before.

The 2026 Preds are engineered with a lightweight construction, bringing back the German manufacturer's POWERSPINE – to you and us, that's the lightweight soleplate that provides stability for a rocket shot.

There's new technology, too, in the form of NANOSTRIKE+, a mesh upper that feels weightless and soft to contour seamlessly to the foot: they're not just fancy, they feel good, too.

There's an updated stud configuration for “increased traction and rotational agility”, while the classic fold-over tongue has once again returned: in terms of the look, it's not a million miles away from the last Predator model, but the three stripes certainly look a little classier.

“The Predator DNA is all about control,” Thomas Mace, VP of Design at adidas, tells us. “With the new Predator, we’ve evolved that DNA for the modern player to create a boot that is lighter, sharper, and tuned for precision.

“Every element is engineered to empower players who create and finish moments that decide matches.”

So what do you think? A valuable addition to the canon or not a patch on the Manias Becks used to stride around in?

My 9-year-old, like most kids his age, is football obsessed. He plays for a club, plays in the garden, watches video on his tablet and knows more stats than you could ever imagine. But he is also a 9-year-old with a tablet, who likes nothing more to laze about, meaning screentime can, occasionally, be a struggle to control. He might be obsessed with the best football boots you can buy, but I was after something different to get him more active.

So I was really interested to get him try out the FPRO app, which claims to be able to provide pro-quality football training through an app. My son, with my assistance, tried out the FPRO Pro Bundle, which comes with FPRO Training Program as well as some really cool kit, including Ball Mastery Mat 2.0, Elite Soccer Ball 2.0 and Grip socks.

Setting up through the app was really simple, as I had thought that the mat had to be plugged into a device, but actually the app can simply be uploaded onto a mobile phone or tablet. It can be cast easily through a smart TV web browser, so really easy to get it up and running.

Now you do need a little bit of space to set up, and space wider than the mat so that you can move about, but what I really liked is that the mat can travel with you, kitchen, bedroom, lounge or even patio in a garden (in good dry weather). Indeed if you dont have space at home you could take this to the local park.

The trickiest part was selecting which program to start him off on as there are three different programs to choose from: Gamified Experience (7 years old and under), Skills and Footwoork (8-12), Mastering the Ball (13-16). He is 9 so we started on the Skills and Footwork, but he found it a little tricky at first, so we dropped him to the gamified experience, which he really enjoyed and has allowed him to progress back to his age range.

The idea is very simple that the mat, which has useful numbers and arrows is used as a map and the player uses the ball to travel to each section in a certain way. So for the gamified experience, there is a bit where you have to collect diamonds, you use a prescribed part of your foot to dribble the ball to each area to get the diamonds. This is a great way of practising without really realising you are. The experience of collecting the diamonds with, for example, the outside of your foot will then be lent on when your child steps up to the more advanced levels.

One thing the product doesn’t provide is any feedback and any fault coaching. So it is handy for a parent to be close by to give feedback and to help if a child is struggling or not quite doing what is being asked.

The more you train the more levels you unlock and rewards you can earn, which makes it really fun and rewarding and makes kids want to go back to it every day.

In a world where screentime is becoming more of an issue, and families try to get their kids more active the FPRO app and its Pro Kit is a really fun way to help get them off the sofa and moving about, while enjoying the sport they love.

Brand-new Adidas Predator Mania boots have dropped in the form of a remake.

When it comes to the best boots on the market, the Predators are still dominating with the likes of Jude Bellingham donning the very latest models with all the tech – but if you're anything like FourFourTwo, nothing will ever beat the classics.

And with Adidas bringing out the latest boots in their Made In Germany remakes, this is a classic we didn't even realise we yearned for.

Gunmetal Adidas Predator Mania boots

The Mania, arguably the most iconic boot that Adidas have ever released (or anyone else, potentially?) first hit shelves in 2001 ahead of the World Cup in Japan and South Korea, with the curvy design influenced by the Far East and the standard Predator colourway of black, red and white the first to become available.

Fast-forward two decades and Adi have been steadily re-releasing Manias in some of their most iconic colourways, including the white/black/red and red/grey versions that were synonymous with David Beckham… but who else forgot about these ‘gunmetal’ grey and silver beauties?

The ‘Gunmetal’ boots came out when Goldenballs first signed for Real Madrid in 2003, with the Predator Mania already established at the time as a bona fide hit: well, now they're back for a new generation.

“The Predator Gunmetal Mania features a striking silver, metal-optic base that delivers a bold, unmistakable on-pitch presence,” Adidas tells us now.

“The clean white Three Stripes sit sharply along the side, accentuating the boot’s powerful silhouette, while the signature fold-over tongue returns in vivid red completed with a white Adidas logo, paying homage to one of the most recognisable Predator visuals ever created.”

Boot technology has come a long way since the days of Beckham pinging crosses onto the head of R9 – but these new boots have apparently been revived with “performance-driven detailing” for the 2020s, while “offering a modern fit and feel designed for today’s game”.

So who else totally forgot these existed?

Now that we've had our memories refreshed, these boots conjure up images for us at FourFourTwo of Beckham in his early Bernabeu days, not to mention Patrick Vieira striding around midfield for the Invincibles.

But what do you think? A lovely homage to an icon or a totally unnecessary release for a colourway you'd forgotten about, too? Tell us below…

A new Nike Barcelona fourth shirt 2025/26 has dropped, remixing the Blaugrana stripes.

This might be the artiest Barcelona shirt ever, too, with the Catalans looking to get back to Camp Nou imminently: the city has a rich heritage when it comes to the art world, from the likes of Antoni Gaudi through to Rosalia, but this new top also pays tribute to a famous Clasico.

20 years ago today, Barça beat Real Madrid 3-0, with Ronaldinho's display ranked at no.4 in FourFourTwo's list of the greatest individual performances of all time – now, this shirt pays serious homage.

Get the new Nike Barcelona fourth shirt 2025/26

With Barcelona's famous stripes inspired by ‘the trajectory of the ball’ for all three goals that night, Nike have delivered quite possibly the first-ever Barça top inspired by a single game.

“Inside the collar, three circles highlight the minutes in which those goals were scored: the 14th, 58th and 77th,” Barça tell us now, adding, “And on the outside, the Catalan flag completes the design.”

To commemorate the intersection of football, sport, and high fashion, a nostalgia-doused video has been released across the club's social media channels.

Packed with visual references to both art and football, and featuring the likes of Alexia Putellas, Aitana Bonmati, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Balde, the piece is designed to illustrate the idea that the sport conjures up moments that defy explanation – rather like that Ronaldinho masterclass – with Marc Bernal looking at a sign spelling out the club’s motto, ‘More than a Club,’ in lights.

Naturally, The video includes fragments of Ronaldinho's goals from that night, as well as clear allusions to the famous applause he received, an iconic memory. Rashford, meanwhile, could be making a case for a post-playing career as an actor, seen admiring a display case that holds a replica of the boots worn by the Brazilian hero during that night.

This might be the boldest kit that Nike have released for the club in quite some time, with the American manufacturer favouring subtler details in the last few years.

Not here: the stripes are thick, as if painted onto the base of the shirt and this marks the return of a fourth colour to complement the maroon, blue and yellow, as a light blue is added.

In FourFourTwo's view, it's an absolute stunner, and proof that Nike can do no wrong when it comes to the Catalans (well, don't hold us to that).

With the home, away and third tops for Hansi Flick's men all hitting the mark this term without any of the three really becoming classics, this might be the one that goes down in history, should Lamine Yamal and co. achieve something monumental this season (Yamal, incidentally, isn't involved in the promo as he's an Adidas athlete).

So what do you reckon? Wowsers or trousers? Tell us in the comments.

A giant in sports retail, Decathlon sells affordable products through its in-house brands. Kipsta is one of the best known and forms Decathlon's football division.

As part of a big push at the elite end of the game, Kipsta now manufactures the official match ball for Ligue 1, Ligue 2, the Europa League and Europa Conference League. Decathlon's emphasis on affordability can be seen in its football boots, with Kipsta's range promising to offer elite level performance at a fraction of the price of the best football boots.

I tried the Kipsta Viralto IV Pro, the brand's kangaroo leather boot and was thoroughly impressed by what is, in my opinion, one of, if not the, best value football boots currently available.

Kipsta Viralto 4 Premium Leather review

The use of natural leather in football boots is slowly being phased out with brands increasingly opting to use synthetics. Puma and Nike have stopped using it altogether and Adidas has significantly reduced its use. As a result, the best leather football boots, particularly kangaroo leather, occupy a much rarer place in the market than at any point in the past.

The upper on the Kipsta Viralto IV Pro is made up of soft kangaroo leather in the forefoot and towards the midfoot, with a synthetic material towards the heel area and a knit to house the lacing. It's a mix similar to that of recent Adidas Copa iterations.

Out of the box, the leather is soft and the boots take no time to break in. One of the biggest compliments I can pay the boots is that on the first wear, they feel as if they have already been worn a few times. The leather part of the construction bears a physical resemblance to the Nike Tiempo Legend 6, one of the best-ever generations of one of the best leather (until this year) models around.

With this comes the nice soft touch on the ball that only leather can provide. The synthetic that makes up the rest of the boot does the job, but does not feel as high in quality as some used in similarly mixed material pairs. It's not a major problem given the quality of leather that makes up most of the boot, but it's a small area for improvement. I found the transition between the two materials far from seamless.

The soleplate is simple and does a good enough job. It features conical studs throughout and is relatively flexible overall with some good stiffness where needed thanks to the Dual Hardness tech used by Kipsta.

Like the best firm ground football boots, this boot is best for natural grass, but this soleplate shouldn’t pose any extra injury risk on artificial grass despite a little bit of stud pressure when I wore these on a slightly lower quality, older AG pitch. I think these would be absolutely fine on a newer AG pitch with a little more depth to it - though I'd still always recommend looking at the best football boots for astro turf around if you play the majority of your football on that surface.

For Kipsta, half sizes within a size (e.g. an 8.5 vs 8) are sometimes only different in terms of width and you have to go up a size entirely for a difference in length. What this will mean in practice will vary depending on foot type and preference, but I would recommend wearing a pair a half size smaller than your usual in terms of length. If you're looking for the best football boots for wide feet, though, opting for a slightly larger size might help.

The Kipsta Viralto IV Pro is pretty wide fitting so if you do have slim feet then the unique sizing style means you may have to sacrifice on length for a tighter fit, though this boot will be wide enough for most. Kipsta also offer a unique 'XP' number to indicate how many uses a pair can be expected to last. The Viralto IV Pro bears a 95 XP.

Of course, one of the most eye-catching things about the Kispta Viralto IV Pro is the price. These retail for around £90, making them comfortably one of the best football boots under £100. By comparison, other leather options available include the Adidas Copa Pure 2 Elite at £200, Umbro Tocco IV Pro at £220 and the classic Adidas Copa Mundial at £150.

At the very top end of the price scale are Mizuno Morelia II Made in Japan leather that will cost you north of £300. After wearing these, I would say that if you are looking for a new pair of leather football boots, the Kipsta Viralto IV Pro should be near the top of your list unless you're looking for the very best money can buy.

I thoroughly enjoyed wearing them and they have quickly become part of my regular rotation. Boots such as the New Balance 442 V2, Adidas Copa Gloro and Nike Premier 3 offer a similar experience around the same price point but the Viralto IV Pro is either cheaper or simply better than all of these.

Two things we are seeing less of in the football boot market is affordability and natural leather. The Kipsta Viralto IV Pro has both of these and that makes it a pair that should be on the radar of many people who may never have even heard of it.

I was first able to try them briefly during FourFourTwo's visit to the Decathlon's Kipstadium HQ and I don't think I have ever been as surprised by a pair as I was by these. They punch well above their weight and if there is a better value for money football boot available, I haven't tried them yet.

The Viralto IV Pros unboxed

The Mizuno Alpha Made in Japan is by no means a new release on the football boot market - in fact, they were initially released in November 2022 - but it's never too late to try out a high-tech option that is clearly standing the test of time.

Renowned for unrivalled comfort and quality, Mizuno's Made in Japan range does come at a greater expense than its regular offerings, but the quality makes it so worth it. Traditionally built with leather, the Mizuno Alpha Made in Japan is a synethetic model designed to rival the likes of the Nike Mercurial Superfly 10 Elite and Adidas F50 Elite in the best football boots for speed category.

I took a pair to the pitch to answer the question of whether Mizuno could really compete, and if the Alpha can live up to its name when compared against even the best football boots available.

Mizuno Alpha Made In Japan review

Unlike the plush, quality leather on the Mizuno Morelia II Made in Japan football boots, the Mizuno Alpha Made in Japan feature a thin, lightweight, synthetic upper that feel completely different on feet, though no less exceptional.

I was instantly impressed by how they felt out of the box, and although the synthetic used for the upper is not the softest, these felt better on my feet than most of the best lightweight football boots did at the start. They soften up pretty quickly too, which helps out-of-the-box use, and is a welcome change from the slightly uncomfortable feeling from similar boots.

One area of the boots that is particularly impressive is the heel. It features Mizuno's zero glide technology aimed at preventing heel slip and it does exactly that. It's stickier to the touch than the heel area of any other boot you will find, and this helps keep your foot nicely in place for that all-important heel lockdown. The shape of the heel was also perfect for me, but different foot types might feel differently.

When it comes to lockdown, it's generally about as good as it gets. The lacing is very deep and when I used the top lace holes and tied the boots tight, I felt as locked in as I have felt in any current pair. This is a feeling that does wonders for the all-round experience of wearing a boot, creating a distraction-free feel that good football boots should.

It also means that you feel the benefit of other areas of the boot such as the soleplate and the thinness of the boot. The slim upper gives a nice one-to-one feel with the ball without feeling so barefoot as to feel unstructured and the lockdown enhances this experience.

In terms of the outsole, the Mizuno Alpha Made in Japan features triangular studs on a stiff plate with a Carvo insert to provide the snappy responsiveness needed to push off quickly. I personally tend to prefer less aggressive soleplates so I was pleased that while it has a lot of bite, the plate here is not as aggressive as can be seen on other pairs such as the New Balance Furon V7+ Pro or the Skechers Razor.

As with the vast majority of firm ground pairs, the FG plate of Mizuno Alpha is best kept for use on natural grass rather than on artificial surfaces, especially as there is a dedicated AG option which features arguably the best soleplate of this type currently available.

I wore these both in my usual size and half a size down and preferred the fit of the smaller boot. I prefer a very snug fit so if you like a little bit of room then true-to-size may be your best bet, but the boots definitely fit a little long.

Width-wise, this is a pretty accommodating boot so only those with exceptionally wide feet, needing the best football boots for wide feet, will have any problems. This follows a trend of other major speed boots like the Nike Mercurial Vapor 16, Superfly 10 and Adidas F50 Elite which are more accommodating having traditionally been very narrow.

My biggest gripe with these boots and with the Mizuno Made in Japan range in general, is the price. These retail for £310, making them by far the most expensive in-line speed boots currently available.

An argument can be made that the price is reflected in the quality of the boots, but this kind of price in a space that is already too expensive is hard to justify and harder to spend when there are top-quality choices on the market for considerably cheaper. When there are still some great options in our best football boots under £100 guide, spending triple that can seem largely pointless.

The boots have been around for over two years now, so it is becoming more and more possible to pick a pair up on sale, but due to how high the starting price is, even then we are often talking about a pair that is around the same price as everything else and more expensive than sale options for comparable pairs. There is also the option of the Mizuno Alpha Elite which offers much of the same quality at a kinder price point.

Since its release, the Mizuno Alpha Made in Japan has been the best speed boot on the market. With Mizuno opting to give its models a much longer life cycle than other brands this is all the more impressive as it means the Alpha outperforms both the models that were released at the same time, and all that has come since.

Unfortunately, they are so expensive it means many people will simply never experience them and that is a shame. However, if you are able to find a deal or are willing to shell out the £300+ it will cost to get a pair of these then you won't regret it.

The Sudu SFS FG 01+ Pro is the UK brand's first forray into the football boot market, following on from recent entries by Skechers, Sokito and Kipsta.

But if someone told you that they had not heard of Sudu, I couldn't fault them. Recently entering the world of football as the kit manufacturer for Wolves this season, Sudu - which is a combination of the words speed, velocity and tempo - has also set a lofty goal of competing against the very best football boots, with the brand's first attempt certainly a solid effort.

The boot has many exciting features that make it perfectly up to standard for the modern game, Sudu are a brand that should not be overlooked when comparing against the bigger names in the market. I put them to the test in a number of gruelling training sessions and intense matches across the course of a few months to ascertain what their true performances level are like.

Sudu SFS FG 01+ Pro review

Providing a customised fit on the top of the boot through the brand's PE moulded sock liner and a padded heel that adds comfort without any blister or irritation issues, the Sudu SFS FG 01+ Pro are some of the most comfortable football boots I've tried in a while. Soft and pliable straight out of the box, the Speed Weave+ upper helps ensure an extremely short break-in period while also moulding quickly to the shape of your foot.

Providing you're not at the extreme, these boots are certainly suitable for players seeking the best football boots for wide feet, though they're also snug enough for those wanting something narrow, too. The boot is categorised as a cross between a speed boot and control boot, and it definitely provides that very impressive lockdown the best football boots for speed all have.

My feet felt secure and stable while playing, with no issues of heel slippage or rollover. As far as sizing goes, the boots fit true to size. I wear a size 9.5 UK across most brands and was satisfied with the fit. There was only a tiny bit of space in the toe area, but that will obviously vary depending on the thickness of the socks you wear.

Sudu has named the outsole, the Pebax Spring Plate, with its purpose to aid speed and agility. Consisting mainly of chevron-shaped studs for traction when sprinting and making cutting movements, with some longer blades in the heel for stability and deceleration, the Sudu SFS FG 01+ Pro provide that bite comparable to some of the best football boots for wingers.

Responsive and providing a springy feel, the outsole performs very well and does exactly what it says on the tin, helping me always feel nimble and on my toes whenever I played in them. Usually, I would advise against using a boot with an outsole like this on 3G pitches, but the chevron studs have some curvature to them meaning it didn’t bite too much to the surface. I also didn’t feel any discomfort in my joints while playing or the following day after using these on astro turf - though I'd always recommend seeking out the best football boots for astro turf if you're regularly playing on artificial surfaces.

The upper is composed of Speed Weave+ knit and Sudu’s Sensatech 5D Print, with the aim here to provide a closer touch on the ball. The 5D print just means elements of the upper are embossed and debossed, so doesn't have too much of an impact on playing.

It's a relatively thin upper, with some subtle cushioning which offers a close touch on the ball with some dampening. The 5D print helps provide a subtle tactile feel when dribbling and striking without being too sticky as well. All in all, having the ball at your feet feels very natural in these boots.

In summary, the Sudu SFS FG 01+ Pro is an extremely strong entry into the football boot market by a brand that many won't be familiar with yet, apart from Wolves fans. Sudu have created a boot that combines the features that make a good speed boot and control boot and you would think they had been making football boots for years with how well they perform.

The boot is lightweight and comfortable, with a responsive outsole and provides a close, natural touch on the ball that all lovers of the beautiful game should enjoy. If you’re interested in trying a new brand, you shouldn’t think twice as you will be pleasantly surprised.

Over the last couple of years, Under Armour has made a renewed effort to make a mark on the football boot market after a period of relative inactivity.

I was particularly keen to see how these new Magneticos stack up against the best football boots and if there are any clear improvements on the previous generation Under Armour Clone Magnetico 3.0 model.

I will say, the Under Armour Clone Magnetico 4.0 is, for me, the most unique-looking and feeling football boot on the market. The same was also true of the 3.0 that it replaces, with Under Armour clearly going to some effort to achieve elite performance without falling into the trap of rehashing trending features the most popular boots have. This variation is something I applaud; not only does it serve innovation in a positive way, it actually adds something different to the football boot market, too.

I laced up a pair of the Under Armour Clone Magnetico Elite 4.0, which forms the brand's elite offering alongside the Under Armour Shadow Elite 2.0, to put them to the test.

Under Amour Clone Magnetico Elite 4.0 review

Though the 4.0 once again uses Under Armour's Clone technology, which adapts to the shape and movements of your feet, it's different this time around. I noticed the Clone material is built around an elasticated knit lacing system in a one-piece construction, as opposed to the separated tongue u throat of the Clone Magnetico 3.0. As a result, the boots fit more snugly than the previous model and I definitely preferred this.

With rubber grip elements placed around the instep, the Clone Magnetico 4.0 felt very similar to those found on many Adidas Predator models. The boots have a much lower surface area in comparison, though, so I personally didn't find there was enough grip to have a regular, sustained effect.

Under Armour has improved comfort on the new model through making the toebox more neutral than the Clone Magnetico 3.0, which pushed my toes uncomfortably against the upper itself. There's also a welcome change to what was my biggest gripe with the last model, too: the heel. Previously too rigid and an area that dug into the back of my heel when playing, it's been markedly improved on the Clone Magnetico 4.0.

But while I found the upper significantly softer and a competitor for the most comfortable football boots, Under Armour may have overcompensated in this area. Bulk is a general problem with the boot as it's heavier than comparable models like the Nike Phantom GX Elite and New Balance Tekela V4+ Pro, thanks to the over-padded upper.

While they aren't heavy enough to hinder your game, the weight does negatively differ from the competition. However, some of the weight, like a thicker knit and a padded heel, adds comfort, so it could be beneficial to some. I'm personally not a fan of the knit as it features the same perforations as the Shadow Elite - a positive when allowing for breathability, but also the possibility of water getting into the boot in wet conditions.

These boots take little to no time to break in and feel great out of the box – one of the most important traits in a boot for me. They have a good level of volume so will still be a good option for players wanting to find the best football boots for wide feet, even if not quite to the same level of the outgoing Clone Magnetico 3.0.

The Clone upper is built for maximum adaptability, but the result is a snug fit for most, so this may be something to be wary of depending on your preferred fit.

The soleplate is brought forward from the previous generation and features fully conical studs alongside conical studs with bladed tips. It's a comfortable, flexible outsole that offers good rotational support. I wore these on both natural grass and artificial surfaces and would say that they are fine for both, although best worn on firm ground.

The Under Armour Clone Magnetico 4.0 is undoubtedly a better football boot than its predecessor, and it's taken a step in the right direction. If you're looking for something different then these are definitely worth considering. However, there are better boots available. We'll have to wait and see if Under Amour continues with the Magnetico franchise or decides to revamp their offering, but for now, these are a good quality pair of football boots.

Decathlon has entered the football boot market with the Kipsta CLR Elite, in a bullish attempt to disrupt the status quo of Nike, Adidas and Puma.

One of the biggest names in sports retail, with stores all over the world, Decathlon built its name selling affordable products through in-house brands. Probably the best known of these brands is Kipsta - and Decathlon is now making a huge push at the top end of the world's favourite sport with both footballs and football boots.

The official match ball used in Ligue 1, Ligue 2, the Europa League, Europa Conference League and other professional leagues now carry the Kipsta name. And the same brand are now delivering the goods when it comes to the best football boots.

But can they offer a serious alternative to market rivals? I was able to try the Kipsta CLR Elite to see if they have been able to deliver on this aim.

Kipsta CLR Elite review

The Kipsta CLR Elite will compete against the best football boots for speed alongside the likes of the Nike Mercurial Superfly 10 Elite, Adidas F50 Elite, Puma Ultra 5 Ultimate and the New Balance Furon V7+ Pro. The least expensive of these is the NB Furon at a price point of around £220, with the Puma Ultra 5 Carbon coming in at £260 as the most expensive.

By contrast, the CLR Elite is at the other end of the scale, retailing at £70 – a significant saving and a price point that the models from the biggest brands cannot compete with even when heavily discounted or replaced by newer generations.

Despite the relatively low price tag, the CLR does bear some of the characteristics you would expect from the best lightweight football boots.

I found these boots to be extremely lightweight with the upper made up of Decathlon’s Skin touch control technology.

It is a super thin, minimalist synthetic upper that brings you close to the ball in a way this type of boot should. There isn’t much in the way of added grip on the upper itself, but this isn’t necessarily a problem, especially given that it is relatively sticky to the touch anyway.

The CLR Elite is comfortable from the off and needs very little break-in. Personally, I had no problems with them out of the box. With the wide range of options available in the market at the moment I think it is important for pairs to have a ‘plug and play’ quality to them and the CLR does have this.

One thing the CLR lacks in comparison to other speed boots is responsiveness. The soleplate is too flexible – it can be bent almost completely in half by hand. Boots built for speed at the elite level tend to have stiff, snappy outsoles for increased energy return when taking off.

However, the softness of this plate means the CLR Elite is unable to offer this. The stud shape is also somewhat atypical for this category with mainly diamond studs through the plate, with a couple of chevron studs in the heel area. This configuration naturally lacks the level of traction provided by models such as the Mercurial, F50 and Furon.

One advantage of there being slightly less traction is that this pair can be worn on artificial surfaces if absolutely necessary. The studs are short and not particularly aggressive in shape, so these are one of the better FG speed boots around for wear on AG along, alongside the Lotto Solista and, to a lesser extent, the Adidas F50 Elite.

Another plus point from the CLR Elite outsole is that they're one of the most comfortable football boots that focus on speed. The extra flexibility, compared to pairs such as the current Mercurial Vapor and Superfly or the Puma Ultra Carbon, ensures it is a little easier on the soles of your feet. Therefore, depending on what you want from a pair, it is possible to prefer the feel of the CLR plate.

I would say though, that it is perhaps a little too bendy even with the comfort considered. Although I personally do prefer a flexible soleplate, I would have liked the CLR elite to have maintained some extra stability in the midfoot.

The Kipsta CLR Elite is a high-volume football boot so will be suitable for those with wider feet. The speed boot often excludes those who fall into this category, so a design that offers this experience is a good thing.

My feet are on the slimmer side, so there was a little extra room around my feet in the area of the opening of the boot, so the lockdown was impacted slightly. The boots do feature fairly deep, central lacing so the adjustability is good. I think the lockdown will be better for players who don't have particularly narrow feet.

The knitted collar that houses the lacing system at the opening of the boot is comfortable and stretchy and this added to the decent adjustability. In terms of fit, these may be one of the better speed boot options for those with wider feet. I wore my pair a half size smaller than usual, as I found my normal size to be slightly roomy. For those with slimmer feet I think this would be the best option, but it is always best to try before buying when possible.

Interestingly, Decathlon has taken the unique step of publicly advertising the number of uses to expect from each of its models, giving each an ‘XP’ rating. The CLR Elite has an XP of 148, therefore a pair can be expected to last 148 uses whether it be training or in a competitive match.

The boots also come with a two-year warranty, with Decathlon placing greater emphasis on durability for, not only the Kipsta CLR, but all of its ranges. Durability is one of the aspects of football boots that many would argue has deteriorated while market prices have rocketed.

Whilst this often due to misuse (wearing FG boots on AG for example) it is something that brands should do more to address, particularly given just how much the average pair costs now.

Most pairs used appropriately should last about a season so if Decathlon is able to offer pairs that can last significantly longer, if worn once or twice a week, at a fraction of the cost then this could have a profoundly positive impact on the wider market.

One of the biggest problems users face in the current boot market is price. The cost of elite boots is exorbitantly high and increases every year, as brands release new models at a rapid rate. Alternatives to this trend are welcome and Decathlon’s entry into the elite market at a significantly cheaper price point is certainly a welcome alternative.

In terms of value for money, the Kipsta CLR Elite cannot be argued with. For this price it is a good pair of football boots and delivers the lightweight feel and barefoot touch that boots in the speed category should.

I don't think that the boots quite reach the level to compete with the most expensive pairs from the biggest brands. But at a price that is almost £200 cheaper, it is a trade-off that will prove appealing for many.

If Decathlon are able to build on the foundations of the Kipsta CLR Elite and keep the price at a similar level in addition to some smart endorsements, then we could be looking at a massive disruptor in the football boot market.

As a brand, Sokito has dedicated itself to eco-friendly and sustainable practices, with the Sokito Devista the first ever football boot to be certified vegan by The Vegan Society.

The brand's latest release - the Sokito Scudetta - aims to not only stay true to its ethical commitments, but truly challenge the very best football boots available on the market.

Achieving all of this while also doing so at a lower price point than many of the established brands is something that would have the potential to make massive waves in the space. With this in mind, I was very keen to see how the Sokito Scudetta performed and whether they can combine quality with ethical practices.

Sokito Scudetta unboxed

Soktio's previous offering - the Devista - was a solid boot that fit well and performed to a high level all round, and competed with some of the most comfortable football boots.

To do so with a vegan certification was probably the most noteworthy aspect of the boot. In truth, the Sokito Devista looked and performed exactly how you would expect the most sustainably built football boot ever.

This is not a criticism, with the boots looking smart and delivering on the pitch. However, in terms of tech and performance, they were not on the level of the best Nike football boots, for example, such as the Nike Mercurial Superfly 10 or the Nike Phantom GX 2 Elite. This is not the case with the Scudetta.

On looks alone you can see that the Sokito Scudetta is built to compete at the highest level of the most tech-forward category in the boot market – speed. The forefoot of the boot is soft, comfortable and has a feel reminiscent of the Adidas Adizero from 2014 – widely recognised as one of the best football boots for speed ever made.

In terms of comfort, the only other (non-leather) speed boot that comes close is the Skechers Razor Elite. It is pliable, plush out of the box and brings a naturally nice touch on the ball.

The upper is simply excellent. Meanwhile, the fit is as good as, if not better than any of the best lightweight football boots, with the Scudetta’s sculpted upper seeming to disappear around the form of my feet as soon as I put them on.

The boots did fit very snugly, so those with wider feet could potentially struggle - our guides for the best football boots for wide feet could be more useful. There is some adjustability with the construction of the tongue, but these have the fit of a quintessential speed boot in terms of width.

I have slim feet so the fact the Scudetta is on the narrower side was ideal for me, leaving no dead space in any areas of the boot and locking in nicely. The lockdown in general is great, particularly in the heel with no slippage at all.

The outsole features a pattern of bladed and chevron shaped studs, providing aggressive traction when taking off at speed. In terms of stud shape, it is up there with the more aggressive soleplates, at least when you compare Adidas' more neutral pattern on the recently released Adidas F50 Elite. Plus, the plate is snappy with a good level of energy return, with the nylon insert towards the forefoot aiding this.

One thing the Sokito Scudetta lacks is a dedicated AG option. The Devista's more neutral soleplate allowed that boot to be worn safely on artificial surfaces. This is not the case with the Scudetta, so taking a look at the best football for astro turf could be beneficial if you spend the majority of your playing time on 3G or 4G.

The firm ground option is undoubtedly one of the best speed boots on the market, and with that comes a level of aggression in the outsole that makes it unsuitable for use on artificial surfaces - an issue I am sure the brand is aware of. But with a large portion of casual play now taking place during midweek on AG, the lack of this option is a blow.

There is not yet a soft ground option for the Scudetta so they can only really be worn on dry, natural grass. Undoubtedly, it is a bit of a shame for such a groundbreaking boot to be limited in this way, though it's still encouraging they're among the best football boots for firm ground.

Pricewise, the Sokito Scudetta retails at around £174.99. This is big positive, particularly in comparison to the Adidas F50 Elite (£220), the Nike Mercurial Vapor (£245) and the Puma Ultra 5 Ultimate (£210). For a not-insignificant saving you are able to buy a pair that performs to at least the same level and is built much more sustainably. Sokito have done a great job of creating not only a great boot but a very attractive option in a crowded marketplace.

To describe the Sokito Scudetta as anything less than groundbreaking would be an injustice. Sustainability has been on the agenda of the wider football boot market for a long time and brands have made some progress. Elite pairs from some of the biggest brands are now made in part with recycled materials and we have seen boots, such as the Gamemode from Adidas featuring at least 65% recycled materials. Yet it was never truly a priority - the Scudetta changes that.

Sokito have shown the world it is possible to build a boot using these materials without compromising on performance. The Scudetta has removed this excuse from any discussion of the present or future of boot manufacturing - and potentially makes this release a watershed moment.

At a time where sustainability and ethics are undoubtedly important issues in every facet of our lives - Sokito are committed to making it a priority. Outside of the manufacturing of its boots, the company also runs a boot recycling scheme where an old pair can be exchanged for £20 credit to spend on the brand’s website.

However, the most important aspect of any football boot, particularly at this end of the market, will always be its performance. Thankfully, the performance of the Sokito Scudetta is the star of the show. This is one of the best boots of 2024. Even with sustainability put to one side, this would be a pair worthy of the level of attention it has received.

The Puma Ultra 5 Ultimate replaces the Puma Ultra Ultimate in the much loved series, looking to maintain its' reputation as one of the smartest designs on the market.

Speed is important to Puma. From the F1 circuit to the Olympic racetrack, the big cat can be seen both behind the scenes and near the forefront. This also translates onto the football pitch with the brand regularly trying to push the boundaries of many of the best football boots for speed available, helping create some of the most innovative models ever seen.

With the release of the Ultra 5 Carbon, Puma is again aiming to move the needle at the cutting edge of boot technology. Hot on the heels of the Puma Ultra 5 Carbon comes the Puma Ultra 5 Ultimate – a slightly cheaper, less extreme alternative.

I was able to take a FG pair of the Ultra 5 Ultimate to the pitch, to see how they stack up against market competition.

Puma Ultra 5 Ultimate FG review

The Puma Ultra 5 Ultimate is a vast improvement on outgoing model. The Ultra silo has gained good momentum since it was introduced in 2020 and had tended to compare favourably with the equivalent offering from Nike and adidas. The Ultra Ultimate, however, lagged a little behind the Adidas X Crazyfast+ and Nike Mercurial Superfly 10. This has been addressed in spectacular style with the Ultra 5 Ultimate.

The new model is a considerable revamp with a completely new upper, soleplate and stud pattern, following years of tireless research. It is the upper that impressed me the most with a lightweight mesh covered in Puma’s GripControl Pro skin. It is very soft out of the box, taking no break in time at all before feeling comfortable and flexible.

The benefits of the GripControl Pro skin are subtle but noticeable with the slight stickiness that can be felt to the touch also adding some grip on the ball when dribbling. The upper is also thin enough to bring you feeling closer to the ball, providing the barefoot feel that is a hallmark of the very best lightweight football boots.

As you would expect, the boots are on the narrower side, and I appreciated the more sculpted shape of them as someone with slimmer feet. There was still a little extra room so these should be accommodating for those with feet slightly wider - but there are better options for those seeking the best football boots for wide feet.

The area of the boot that most separates it from the Carbon version that comes £50 more expensive is in the outsole, with the Ultra 5 Ultimate featuring a plastic based soleplate in place of the full carbon plate on the more expensive model.

Having tried both, I do prefer the non-carbon plate on the Ultra 5 Ultimate. The Speedsystem outsole of the Ultra 5 Ultimate is snappy and responsive, providing the level of energy return needed for a solid speed boot, but with a more comfort than its carbon counterpart.

I found the soleplate on the Puma Ultra 5 Carbon just a little too stiff for my liking and so the more balanced approach taken by the Ultra 5 Ultimate was much more to my taste. This could be the case for most players in the market for the best football boots.

My pair of these was half a size smaller than my usual and I found this fit to be a lot better than when I tried my normal size. The sizing may be a little awkward for some as the boots fit long enough for there to be at least a quarter size of extra space for most but a half size down for some may be too tight – potentially leaving the choice between boots that are too long or too tight.

Thankfully for me, half a size down felt just about right. That said, even with the perfect length that came with going a half size down, I did feel a little more space around my heel than I would have preferred. This is not a major complaint, but I would have preferred to feel the boot hug around this area of my foot a bit more.

I wore the Puma Ultra 5 Ultimate FG on natural grass and it is important that this pair is kept exclusively for grass - with use on artificial surfaces to be strictly avoided. The outsole on Ultra 5 Ultimate is less snappy than the Ultra 5 Carbon on account of the different material used for the plate. But the two share the same highly aggressive stud pattern with Puma’s FastTrax stud shape.

The studs provide excellent bite on grass even when taking off at speed, cutting and breaking but it is this level of traction that makes the Ultra 5 Ultimate FG unsuitable for AG and using the FG plate on AG comes with significant injury risk.

In previous years, the Puma Ultra has been advertised as FG/AG meaning they could be worn on both surfaces, and this is something that many were critical of, but Puma has thankfully taken the step of adding a standalone AG boot alongside the FG and MG models – likely because of just how aggressive the outsole on the latest model is.

As one of the highest tech football boots ever seen, it is not surprising that the Puma Ultra 5 Carbon has dominated the headlines.

Its slightly less extreme counterpart may have received less attention, but is not to be underestimated. The soft, grippy upper that it shares with the Ultra 5 Carbon, in addition to the more balanced snappiness to its outsole, make this boot a great option for any speedsters looking for a new pair.

The fact that this pair is also quite significantly cheaper adds to my feeling that, despite how truly impressive the carbon version is, this will prove the better option of the two for the vast majority of players.

Skechers entered the elite football boot market at the beginning of the 2023/24 season with the SKX_01, before then introducing the Razor as its 'speed' boot.

The American brand's original Razor has been well received, with Anthony Elanga, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Mohamed Kudus all players who now wear - and perform at the highest level - in them. Lightweight, responsive and featuring a soleplate with aggressive traction, the original Skechers Razor offered many the features that you would want and expect from a boot in the speed category, but with the added comfort that Skechers is so famous for.

A little under a year on, the brand has made the decision to subtly update the boot with relatively small tweaks to a few areas. I tried a pair in FG to see whether these changes improve what was already a very good football boot.

Skechers Razor Elite review

The launch version of Skechers Razor was one of the most comfortable football boots on the market that also provided a lightweight feel, with the brand clearly leaning into this massive part of its reputation and putting it at the centre of its boot range.

Comprised of a wonderfully soft material, the main component of this comfort came from the forefoot, which required no break in time to feel plush and flexible. Unsurprisingly, the feel of this part of the boot remains largely unchanged but has been made even softer out of the box.

Other areas have also been improved. There's a little less cushioning in the heel area, which will be music to some people's ears. While that sounds counterproductive, some people did suffer from blisters in the launch version of the Razor due to the extra material. I personally had no problems, but did notice there being a slightly bulky feel.

The knit collar at the opening of the boot has also been updated. This is now slightly flatter, making putting the boots on easier and allowing for the knit to better hug your foot. Aside from this, the boot remains the same as with the launch - which is by no means a bad thing.

However, Skechers still do not offer an AG or SG option for the boot – the former being the most disappointing given most casual players play primarily on artificial surfaces. Looking for the best football boots for astro turf can often be difficult, so the lack of adaptability Skechers has in producing a suitable version for artificial grass is a concern.

That's because the soleplate on the Razor is very aggressive, making them completely unsuitable for anything other than firm ground due to the increased risk of injury. For me, that's a major shame, because the Skechers Razor is not only one of the best lightweight football boots, but also one of the best football boots in general.

I find them more comfortable, accomodating and a slightly cheaper alternative to the best football boots for speed from the bigger brands, so the lack of an AG option is something that Skechers will undoubtedly address at some point. It's worth noting that this negative does not necessarily take away from the boots themselves, either.

It's clear, though, that Skechers are here to stay in the football boot market, and if models like the Razor are anything to go by then that is a very good thing. I am a big fan of when brands build on pairs that do the right things rather than constantly overhauling and the subtle changes made to the launch version of the Razor serve to make a good boot even better.

Comfort in a football boot is one of the few aspects that is demanded by everyone and being able to marry this level of it with the demands of the highest tech category in boots (speed) makes the Skechers Razor one of the best boots of its type currently available.

Skechers released the SKX 01 - the brand's first-ever elite football boot - in the second half of 2023, using England captain Harry Kane to unveil the footwear in a blockbuster lifetime deal.

Since then, the original Skechers SKX 01 has gone from strength to strength, with the latest release a slightly updated version featuring refinements in key areas to create a boot that is even better than the original. The American brand has done something similar with the Skechers Razor Elite, making subtle improvements to enhance the quality of one of the best football boots available.

Indeed, the launch version SKX 01 was generally received well and many saw it as an extremely solid entry into market, so I was interested to see whether the changes made to the boot took it further in the right direction.

Skechers SKX 01 Elite review

Made up of the brand's Fit Knit material, the Skechers SKX 01's upper is supported by a tough silicone skin on top of a knit, which is not only soft but also comfortable straight out of the box. This softens up very quickly during play, too, helping to make them feel great in either a game or training session.

This certainly appears to be an area that is unchanged between the first and second versions of Skechers' flagship model, because I did not feel much difference in the feel of the uppers. That's not to discredit the decision, though, with the upper of the SKX 01 a great option.

Where alterations are noticeable is in the heel counter, which I found a lot more comfortable thanks to the cushioning in that area of the boot feeling softer and slightly less bulky. The Skechers SKX 01 is certainly one of the most comfortable football boots available, with that support clearly a priority of the brand.

The same can be said for the changed shape of the knit around the opening of the boot, which is now flatter. This makes the boots slightly easier to put on, and also means they sit more comfortably around the foot once they are on. The changes may seem small, but they are key to the overall feel of the boot.

It is a shame, however, that after a year of the brand's forray into the football boots market, there is still no dedicated AG or SG options for the SKX 01 (or the Razor). Whereas the outsole on the Skechers Razor Elite makes it unsuitable for artificial surfaces, the SKX 01 Elite soleplate is far less aggressive - so can feasibly be worn on astro turf. However, doing so will likely affect the durability of the boot and increase the risk of separation from soleplate and upper.

With lots of people now playing on 3G or 4G surfaces, I would personally expect a brand to offer models for these surfaces, and is something that will hopefully come in the near future. For now, though, players will just have to look elsewhere for the best football boots for astro turf.

In my opinion, I think the Skechers SKX 01 Elite would compete with some of the best football boots for midfielders, with the boot offering a grippy upper, great comfort and a glove-like fit.

Minor tweaks and improvements are also welcome, too. Too often brands implement dramatic innovation in an attempt to improve results and ultimately regress the quality of product, rather than learning from the first model and building upon something that already works extremely well.

EA Sports FC 25: Another year, another Manchester City Premier League title win, and another release of the world’s most-played football video game.

Last year, FIFA 23 became EA Sports FC 24, and this year EA FC 25 has now arrived to hold the torch for the next 12 months. With updates to beloved game modes like Career, a new tactical system that takes a page from FM 2024’s book, and a new game mode that is likely to be the heart and soul of the party, EA FC 25 could go down as one of the biggest annual releases of the franchise yet.

So what makes EA FC 25 stand out compared to last year’s game, aside from updated squads, the arrival of Lamine Yamal in Ultimate Team, and new kits? Well, I’ve been gushing about it for weeks so it only feels fitting that I start this review by talking about Rush 5v5. EA has listened and FC 25 now has an absolutely fantastic social mode that is not only incorporated into all of your favourite game modes but it also plays a part in rewards. This means for the first time in Ultimate Team you can play with multiple friends at the same time as you face off against another group of 4 players online with everyone trying to win prizes together - it’s genuinely awesome and the most fun I’ve had with any FIFA or EA FC in recent memory.

Rush in Ultimate Team is simple: pick a player from your squad and team up with friends. In Career Mode, Rush is used as a way to improve youth prospects in 5v5 matches, and in Clubs, you can play the game mode to move your team up the ranks even when all your teammates aren’t online. EA has hit the nail on the head with Rush, which replaces last year’s VOLTA, and I can see this evolving into everyone’s favorite way to play video game football.

Speaking of Ultimate Team, new quality-of-life improvements such as an untradeable duplicate storage pile so you can keep players for Squad Building Challenges or the fact you can get relegated in Division Rivals so you don’t get stuck playing increasingly impossible-to-beat opponents, make the game mode that little bit more enjoyable - perfect for anyone looking to give it a try for the first time.

Ultimate Team might be EA FC’s most popular game mode but one of its most beloved has finally got a significant update in this year’s game. Career Mode has a new coat of paint that lets you not only create your manager with new character customisation but also pick from current managers to take over as your favourite team’s gaffer.

The game mode has fantastic menus showcasing social media and famous journalists like Fabrizio Romano, as well as a whole host of customisation options to tailor your playthrough to your exact specifics. For example, want to play with no transfer windows? You can. Want to start your season with live results from this weekend’s Premier League fixtures? You can. How about immunity from the sack? Yep, that’s there too.

This year’s Career Mode with the inclusion of Rush in your team’s youth development and the arrival of women’s teams for the first time ever, feels like a refreshing upgrade to a mode that fans have been clamouring for change in for years. Career Mode still plays like Career Mode, but anyone looking to reach the highest heights in the world of football now has a major 2025 update to match the rest of the game’s improvements, rather than it feeling left behind like previous games.

In my time testing the game I’ve not had much of a chance to play Clubs but this year it has the aforementioned inclusion of Rush and new clubhouse rewards and customisation to make your football team feel more alive.

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The game modes have had a glow-up, but what does the gameplay feel like? Well, FC IQ is the biggest change this year, introducing a new tactical system similar to Football Manager 2024. It’s pretty robust, allowing you to copy tactics from the world’s best managers as well as create and share your own via QR codes online. I’ve been using Pep Guardiola’s tactics over the last few days and each player has specific roles that they are good at. 

Next to some players, you’ll see a ++ for particular roles, meaning they are world-class for that specific style of play. In Pep’s 4-2-1-3, Trent Alexander-Arnold is a perfect ++ fit for the right back who takes up a flashback role. It’s far more in-depth than we’ve ever seen in EA FC before but the ability to copy tactics from real-world managers makes it pretty accessible for those who just want to play.

FC IQ aside, football matches are pretty enjoyable this year. While it’s very similar to EA FC 24, FC 25 has a slightly slower pace with the added tactical strategy many football fans have been hoping for. Of course, things may change once more people get their hands on the game and learn the ‘meta’ but as it stands, this is the most fun I’ve had playing a football game in years.

EA FC 25 might feel very familiar but it has much-needed additions that make this the best football game we’ve seen in a while. Rush mode could be the massive hit we’ve all been waiting for, bringing a social element to a football game we’ve been missing for a long long time. If you’re a fan of competitive and fun games with your friends, this year’s EA FC is a no-brainer. Prefer to play offline? There are more Career Mode improvements this year than the last few generations combined and with FC IQ the gameplay on the field feels more realistic than ever. EA FC 25 is a fantastic year for the franchise and well worth a purchase if you’ve been itching for a new football video game to pull you back in.

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After almost a decade, Adidas have finally brought back the beloved F50 silo by releasing a special edition colourway for one of its most prominent wearers, Lionel Messi.

However, this special edition colourway is a noticeable shift away from what made the original beloved by fans and players alike.

With Messi’s own personal customisations under constant attention, Adidas have decided to give the series an update in tribute to the Argentinian World Cup winner. The design pays tribute to some of the alternations featured on Messi’s footwear in recent years.  

I tried out a pair to look at the performance of the boot and whether they’re worth giving a go.

Adidas F50 Elite Messi review

Unlike the mainline version of the Adidas F50 Elite, the Messi update includes a hybridtouch upper which feels more leather like – understandable as that is the Inter Miami superstar’s preference.

Soft and pliable to begin with, expect the upper to become even more comfortable as you rack up the minutes. However, this boot still requires a little break in time – around three or four sessions should do the trick.

While the inside of the F50 Elite Messi has a thin suede lining, a well-cushioned heel area makes for a comfortable, premium feel.

Fittingly, for perhaps the most versatile player in history, the boot comes with two sets of insoles – ‘comfort’ and ‘speed’. The former is slightly thicker, naturally taking up a bit more volume within the boot.

Sizewise there is no need to jump up. I went with my usual 9.5 UK and was happy to find the boots fit me true to size – a nice grip with little to no room in the forefoot.

The Messi-favoured “burrito” tongue not only makes for a smoother experience putting the boot on – but also a great amount of lockdown to help keep that secure feeling. Crucially, this is done without feeling overly compressive.

When it comes to width, the F50 Elite Messi could be described as neutral and shouldn’t be an issue for most foot types. Despite being technically classified as a ‘speed’ boot, the sprint frame 360 outsole is not as aggressive as most would expect on a burner boot.

But what is lacking in speed is made up for in traction. This is thanks to a stud pattern featuring a mix of chevron, conical and bladed studs. This – crucially - doesn’t come at the expense of freedom of movement. On the pitch, I always felt mobile and nimble in these boots.

My only major gripe is the soleplate. It needs to be a bit snappier. Only then will the wearer get that ‘on your toes feeling’ associated with the best speed football boots - and what most of us need to even get close to recreating the passes and movements Messi accomplishes. The soleplate is stiff, but on the positive side it still provides a lot of support.

Alternatively, the touch on the ball is one of this boots’ main strengths. The thin and leather-like upper of the hybridtouch provides a minimalistic and barefoot feel on the ball, reminiscent of the older F50 models. This caters for those purchasing a pair primarily for a nostalgia trip. As with the original design, the boots also have a low-profile toe box, allowing for players to get underneath the ball when going on a mazy dribble.

Overall, the F50 Elite Messi is a successful, and welcome, edition to the series. For comfort and touch it is close to unbeatable. The well-designed upper, in combination with the low toe box, provides players with a very responsive touch of the ball. This ensures passing, dribbling and striking the ball feels extremely natural. Playmakers in particular will feel right at home in a pair.

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Nike Mercurial Superfly 10 review: A running shoe with studs

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Synonymous with providing players with next level speed, the Nike Mercurial Superfly is often at the forefront of innovation and the pinnacle in implementing the latest technologies.

In this latest model, Nike has made a few eyebrow raising changes which may signify where the future of football boot development at the American brand could well be heading over the next few years. From a restructed soleplate to improved comfort, there's certainly plenty to discuss here.

I tried a pair to see whether Nike has actually improved its flagship speed model, or if improvements to the Superfly 10 has resulted in a deterioration of performance levels.

Nike Mercurial Superfly 10 review

What really stands out to me when it comes to the latest iteration of the Superfly is the, extremely surprisingly, comfort. In the past, the Mercurial model has needed a considerable amount of breaking-in time, but this latest model feels like it could be used straight of a box and into a game - it's that comfortable.

The heel is well cushioned, with the atomknit material, which is an evolved version of flyknit used on Nike’s running shoes, providing a very comfortable on-foot experience. In conjunction with the gripknit used on the Superfly's upper, this helps to provide a brilliant one-to-one experience when it comes to touch on the ball, as well as a stretchier fit that can conform and accommodate a larger range of foot types.

Indeed, in the past the Mercurial has become syonymous with having a narrower fit, but this has changed for tenth generation of the Superfly. The atomknit allows for the boot to stretch and accommodate most foot types, and I would certainly recommend getting your usual shoe size. Players with wide feet might still want to steer clear, though.

When it comes to the gripknit upper, touch on the ball is enhanced through the sticky yarn material, while it maintains a super-thin construction to adhere to its notorious lightweightness - great for wingers and strikers. The gripknit used on the Mercurial isn’t as heavily textured or gritty as on the Phantom GX series, but instead is smoother and has a waxy texture to it. Despite this, it still offers a very grippy touch and barefoot feel on the ball, Packaged together, the touch on the ball feels very responsive.

I found controlling the ball and dribbling a lot more enjoyable as a result. In my opinion, the gripknit is the star of the show on the Superfly.

Underfoot, the outsole also sees a change from the previous generation. Instead of tri-star studs, Nike have used what they called ‘evolved’ chevron shaped studs, along with a raised wave pattern to help get more out of the air zoom unit.

From my use of the boots, I couldn’t feel a difference in the air zoom unit, the outsole still provides a very responsive and bouncy feeling players who base their game on speed are seeking, with aggressive traction also offered from a standing start and in twists and turns.

Overall, I would say that the Mercurial Superfly 10 is a fantastic football boot. It ticks all the boxes that most players would want in a speed boot, but in a package that will provide for most players. The biggest compliment that you could give the boot is that it feels like a running shoe with studs on it. A great combination of comfort and speed - I'm certainly a fan.

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New Balance Furon V7+ Pro review: The boot that proves why New Balance should NEVER be underrated again

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Through a combination of smart endorsement deals and good quality football boots, New Balance has successfully transitioned from ‘up and coming’ in the football boot market to an established player - and the majority of consumers' ‘best of the rest’ brand after Nike, Adidas and Puma.

The Tekela, New Balance’s control silo, received a quite drastic overhaul in 2022 with the release of the New Balance Tekela V4 Pro, and it proved a worthwhile and justified decision as it became revered for its laceless design.

With the Tekela V4+ Pro, New Balance has built on this, making a few subtle changes to the formula that has worked so well for them. I tried a pair to see whether they have managed to improve on the boot, and where it stacks up against its competitors.

New Balance Tekela V4+ Pro

When New Balance released a low and laced model of the Tekela in 2023, the laceless model took somewhat of a backseat in the brand's marketing efforts. The likes of Harvey Elliot and Timothy Weah moved from the laceless into the laced Tekela when it was released, and the latest high-profile player to join the roster, Real Madrid’s Endrick, was put straight into the low and laced version.

This isn't simply reserved for New Balance, however, with the latest generation of the Adidas Copa, the Copa Pure 2, the first since 2019 not to feature a laceless model at all while the laceless options of both the Predator and X Crazyfast were relegated from their position as the top elite model as laced boots took their place.

Despite the fact that laceless boots aren't seen as much on the pitch in recent years, the laceless version of the Tekela V4+ has a legitimate claim to being the best laceless boot on the market.

While the question mark against laceless boots is of lockdown, due to the lack of ability to adjust the tightness of the boot through the laces, this doesn't apply to the Tekela V4+. Indeed, the boot manages to achieve a level of lockdown that no other laceless pair out of the best football boots currently available can achieve.

I enjoyed how the boot wrapped around my foot so tightly, creating that second-skin feeling that I personally love in a boot, and the mid-cut collar hugs the ankle much more tightly than any other mid-cut football boots on the market right now. This helps create a completely locked-in feeling with the boots, with there also being a one-to-one relationship between foot and ball.

Then there is the material. The upper is made of Hypoknit, New Balance’s knit material that is used on both the Tekela and the brand’s speed boot, the Furon V7+. For me, Hypoknit is the best knit material of those used by the big brands on their football boots. Requiring no time whatsoever to break in, the material is instantly comfortable out of the box - I don’t think there are any non-leather boots on the market right now that are as comfortable as the Tekela V4+ Pro, and the upper is also wonderfully flexible without feeling at all flimsy.

As mentioned, the Tekela V4+ is a minor refinement of the previous generation V4, and one area where the boots slightly differ is in the texturing on the upper. The dimpling in the forefoot area of the V4 is now raised and offers a little bit extra grip and some texturing has also been added the collar on the V4+. These are fairly minor changes that won’t make a dramatic difference to the wearing experience.

One change I am a big fan of is the updated heel. The heel on the V4+ is curved in a way that feels more anatomical and allows for your heel to push further back into the boot, aiding heel lockdown and creating more comfort, too.

With a slightly lower and more pointed toebox, the forefoot is slightly snugger, though. New Balance do offer a wider fit option for all of their models so those with wide feet will be able to wear these, whether it be the regular fit or opting for the wider. I would say that the regular fit will be able to accommodate the majority of those with wider feet.

When it comes to the soleplate, nothing has been changed. The Tekela features a unique stud configuration with conical studs from the forefoot to the heel, and bladed studs around the outside of the plate for a little bit of extra traction. Wingers and strikers can therefore push off that little bit easier, with twists and turns made sharper, too. That's not to say midfielders can't benefit, though.

In terms of sizing, it is a little awkward. I would recommend going at least a half size up on the Tekela V4+ Pro for the best fit. My pair is half a size up on my usual and the fit it still very snug. My preference is for a snug fit, but I would probably prefer slightly more room in a pair than what I currently have.

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Football boots have come a long way in a relatively short time, with the majority of pairs now featuring new technologies that weren't on offer just a decade ago. But, at the same, two things have regressed as these advancements have been implemented: simplicity and affordability.

Options that offer both of these characteristics as well as decent performance levels seems few and far between, with the cheaper ‘takedown’ models from brands varying massively in terms of quality year on year.

The Nike Premier, though, has emerged as a no-frills model that offers both comfort and quality at a reasonable price point, and I took a pair of the Nike Premier 3 to the pitch to see how well it stacks up to this reputation.

Nike Premier 3 review

Retailing at just £100, the Nike Premier 3 is considerably cheaper than the rest of the Swoosh's elite range. Indeed, the Phantom GX 2 is priced at £240, the Phantom Luna 2 costs £255, it costs £245 for the Mercurial Vapor 16 and £255 for the Superfly 10, while the Tiempo Legend 10, the closest direct comparison to the Premier, is still £230.

These prices aren't just reserved for the best football boots from Nike, either. The majority of big brands on the market, like Adidas, Puma, New Balance and Mizuno, all have high price points for their elite models. So, when it comes to the Premier 3, there's significant savings to be made.

In exchange, you get a much more stripped back football boot without some of the advanced technology that features on the elite models, but, interestingly, the Premier 3 does possess something that the rest of Nike’s current lineup lacks: a leather upper.

Nike have phased out the use of natural leather in recent years, with the next generation of the Premier also expected to be manufactured from synthetic materials. For now, though, the Premier 3 features an upper constructed from soft kangaroo leather. And, with the Tiempo Legend 10 moving away from leather, this makes the Premier the only option for traditionalists seeking a leather boot.

As you would expect given the material, the upper is both soft and comfortable immediately out of the box, and manages to soften up even more after a few wears. I found that the comfort of the boot is further enhanced by the thick, padded suede heel lining, which helps to create a pleasantly traditional feel all round. These, therefore, have great protection, ideal for defenders and tough-tackling midfielders.

The boot comes with a folding tongue attached with Velcro but there is also the option to cut this off with scissors using the dotted line on the underside of the tongue. I kept the tongue intact just because I prefer the aesthetics of an old-school folded-down tongue on a boot like this.

All foot types are also accommodated with the traditional two-piece construction of the boot, meaning that players with wide feet certainly won't have a problem slipping into the Premier 3.

Underfoot, the Nike Premier 3 features all conical studs in a soleplate that is in keeping with the rest of the boot in terms of simplicity. It is not an aggressive stud pattern at all, and I found the plate to be lacking in the responsiveness that the stiffer plates of most elite options offer. For that reason, strikers and wingers wanting to burn past their opponents might prefer looking elsewhere.

The lack of aggression in the stud pattern does mean that this is a boot that can very easily be worn on AG pitches without the risk that many other FG boots bring with them when used on artificial surfaces. The soleplate is, however, perhaps the area that the gap between the Premier 3 and elite options can be seen most pertinently. Much of the technology of modern boots is concentrated in the outsole, so it is difficult for a more budget-friendly boot like the Premier to compete. As a result, I found there was a lack of real energy return in the plate, something that is certainly a weakness in my opinion.

Despite that, the Premier 3 still outperforms 'takedown' models, which are often more expensive than the Premier anyway. As a general rule, I believe that the Nike Premier 3 represents a much better option in terms of performance than a 'takedown' model - especially when it comes at a slightly cheaper price.

In this climate, more ‘plug and play’ boots like the Nike Premier 3 that fit well, are comfortable and reasonably priced are as important as they are popular. That's because the football boot market is increasingly becoming a minefield, with brands releasing a plethora of options that all feature long lists of technological specifications and promises about new levels of performance.

Mauro Icardi, for example, is still seen wearing the Premier 3 in training and in games on occasion, highlighting the boot's performance quality. The throwback design of the boot, reminiscent of the Nike Tiempo Premier in the 90s worn famously by the likes of Paolo Maldini and Eric Cantona, lends itself perfectly to those wanting a retro-inspired boot that feels a lot more traditional underfoot and on the ball.

There is something of a ‘give and take’ with the Premier 3, with the saving on price and simplicity coming at the expense of some of the advantages of the modern boot technology. Having tried these, the trade-off is one that will be more than worth it to many.

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Mizuno Morelia II Made in Japan review: Combining traditional and modern in a uniquely quality way

With time and innovation, football boots have reached a point where the top of the range offerings all perform at a relatively high level and the true difference is made more by personal preference and differences in foot shape.

 As with many things in life, nostalgia plays a part in many people’s assessments and boots from yesteryear are fondly remembered and often favoured over modern ones. The ‘truth’, as far as it can exist here, is probably somewhere in the middle. 

One thing that is for certain, though, is that very few boots are able to truly stand out
from the rest in a market that is now saturated with many competent options. The Mizuno Morelia II Made in Japan is not a new boot, but it boasts a rare quality and comfort that means it is able to do what so few pairs are able to today – stand out.

Fortunately, I was lucky enough to try a pair on and put them through their paces...

Mizuno Morelia II Made in Japan review

One of Japan's biggest brands, Mizuno has made a name as producers of high-quality gear across a number of sports. That being said, they still occupy a more niche space in the football boot market in comparison to the biggest and most popular brands, and operate as more of a boutique offering in Europe. 

Mizuno offer both an Elite and Made in Japan version, with the latter manufactured in the company’s Japan factory while the Elite is made in Singapore. Mostly made by hand, the Made in Japan model is also left on a last for 24 hours, far longer than most, if not all, other boots on the market. This highlights just one of the many steps Mizuno takes to ensure the end result is of the highest quality possible. 

After trying a pair of the Made in Japan version of the Mizuno Morelia II, I can attest to Mizuno’s success in this pursuit of excellence. At a time when brands are slowly moving away from natural leather, the Morelia II MIJ features an upper made from wonderfully soft Japanese leather. The boots feel great out of the box and soften up even more to make you feel like you are walking on cloud, they're honestly that comfortable.

The quality of the materials is such that the leather keeps its shape rather than overstretching and becoming slightly sloppy like other leather pairs sometimes do. A good comparison here is with the Adidas Copa Mundial, a boot that remains popular among traditionalists. In contrast to the Morelia II, the Copa can overstretch, which limits its performance levels over time. 

What I found from the Morelia IIs was a plush leather that provides a nice touch on the ball, while the extra time on the last is certainly noticeable because it helped the boots achieve a great fit. The boot is also very accommodating for those with wider feet thanks to its traditional construction - but despite this, they're also surprisingly light – especially when compared to other leather boots. With that in mind, this makes the Morelia II suitable not just for defenders, but also wingers and strikers wanting something that is lighter on their fet. 

I personally prefer boots that have a more modern fit because I'm not a fan of excess bulk and weight that older pairs generally have, but the Morelia IIs boast the advantages of both traditional and modern to create something truly unique in the upper.

Under foot, the Morelia II has a solid and dependable soleplate. It features all conical studs so has good rotational support. I tried the FG pair on both grass and artificial surfaces and, although like any FG pair it is best kept for use on natural grass, the outsole is not aggressive at all so is far from the worst for use on AG.

The soleplate is also connected to the upper using rivets, a once commonplace feature that is not often seen on modern pairs. Separation is usually the beginning of the end for a pair of boots, and these rivets makes this far less likely to happen, thus improving durability and long-term quality. 

All of these very positive elements I've discussed about the boots, however, come at a price - a very high price. The Morelia II MIJ retails at around £300, quite significantly more than pairs from any other brand on the market. Meanwhile, the Elite version at £140 offers much of the same quality at a fraction of the cost, so is certainly worth considering for those who are interested in the Morelia II but are unwilling or unable to match the expensive price tag.

Football boot design has come a long way over the last 20 to 30 years, and the
standard look of a pair today is in stark contrast to what we were used in the 1990s
and before. For this reason, even the appearance of a boot like the Mizuno Morelia II would be enough to turn some people away. 

However, in terms of quality of materials, build quality, comfort, fit and many of the characteristics that are truly important when considering a pair of football boots, it doesn’t get much better. The classic look also has a charm that pairs made since the initial release of the Morelia II lack in comparison. 

The fact that this does not come at the expense of being lightweight was by far the most surprising and one of the most impressive aspects of wearing these boots. 

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The release of the Puma Ultra 5 Carbon could see the German brand overtake the competition in the speed boot department.

A boot that has taken fully four years to design and manufacture, Puma are hoping this innovative model will not only blow away the competition in the speed boot market, but become one of the best options available in general.

So, we got our hands on the Puma Ultra 5 Carbon and put them through their paces. Here's how we found them...

Puma Ultra 5 Carbon Review

Usually, brands make a compromise between comfort and responsiveness, more so with the stiffness that comes with the use of carbon fibre, but Puma have done an excellent job ensuring that comfort is not an issue in this boot. 

The upper is remarkably soft and pliable straight out of the box and the Pwrtape SQD support frame helps provide a more custom moulded fit when broken-in. Ultra-thin and super lightweight, the upper provides a barefoot feel on the ball, while the GripControl Pro skin texturing feels very gritty to touch and helps provide extra grip when dribbling – great for wingers looking to jink past their opponents. All striking actions in this boot feel very responsive and natural, too, whether it’s passing, dribbling or shooting, so midfielders and strikers would definitely feel the benefit of these boots. 

Underfoot, though, is where the magic happens. The Speedsystm outsole is comprised entirely of carbon fibre, helping provide a more responsive experience when sprinting, twisting and turning. I certainly noticed a lot more feedback than the best football boots available, with the aggressive stud configuration also helping.

Featuring FastTrax studs which Puma designed based on academic research and traction studies, the outsole doesn't only look impressive, it also performs extremely well. While playing you constantly feel stable and ready to adapt to any situation developing on the pitch, with the springiness of the soleplate making it feel like you're propelled forwards when sprinting.

Honestly, it's the most explosive soleplate I've ever experienced. When it comes to sizing, I found they have a narrower fit so I'd recommend players with wider feet stay away from these – or at least try them on before committing to a purchase.

There aren't any issues with lockdown in the heel area, though, which features Ortholite cushioning for superior comfort, too. 

They may have taken four years to become a reality, but the Puma Ultra 5 Carbon is one of the best pieces of innovation and engineering that the brand has produced in a very long time, and certainly a massive upgrade on the previous Puma Ultra 1.4 model.

In this boot you will experience an outsole that truly stands apart from everything else currently on the market, along with a barefoot, responsive touch on the ball. The best way I can sum these boots up is by comparing them to a pair of track spikes - they are that specifically engineered for speed. 

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It is fair to say that the Nike Phantom line has become something of a problem child for the brand over the last few years. 

Good boots, such as the Nike Phantom Venom and original Nike Phantom GX, have been sandwiched between ones that just didn't perform anywhere near as well, such as the Phantom Vision and Phantom GT. It has seemed at times a model lacking real direction, especially in comparison to the clearer focus of Nike’s other models in the Mercurial and Tiempo. 

But, with the release of the Phantom GX in 2023, Nike landed produced one of the best football boots of the year, and have made the wise decision of building on some of the features that made it so popular with the Nike Phantom GX 2 Elite. 

Some of the uncertainty regarding the direction of the Phantom line is also still evident, however – so I tried a pair of the new boots in a firm ground variation to get a clearer picture of how they perform on pitch. 

Nike Phantom GX 2 Elite review

One of the main features of the Nike Phantom GX 1 that made it so popular was the GripKnit that made up most of its upper. Added grip on upper materials is a popular aspect of modern football boots, but the GripKnit on the GX 1 was far superior when compared to other boots on the market. 

It is no surprise then that this has been brought forward to the new model, and surprisingly there does even seem to be slightly more GripKnit on the upper of the GX 2. This time around the knit has some additional texturing on top that Nike are calling StrikeZone, while the upper doesn't feel quite as sticky as the GX 1 as a result.

When taking these out of the box, I was instantly struck by just how soft the upper is – this is an impressively comfortable boot and superior to the Phantom GX 1, which is no small feat. As with the GX 1, the latest Phantom deploys off-centred lacing, creating a wonderfully clean striking surface in the area surrounded by the StrikeZone texturing that is reminiscent in look to some of the great Nike Total 90 models. This makes them great for strikers looking to shoot at goal, as well as midfielders hitting long-range passes during games. 

With this latest generation, Nike have taken the Phantom in a direction similar to
that of the Mercurial in terms of the two options available. While the Mercurial offers the Vapor and Superfly models, the Phantom has both the GX and the Luna. This does create some confusion within the model itself, however. 

Just as with the Vapor and Superfly, the GX 2 and Luna 2 share the exact same upper and soleplate, with the only difference being a model with a mid-cut flyknit collar (the Luna). This is particularly strange for the Phantom models as the Luna 1 was first released as a boot mainly for women aimed at combatting their increased susceptibility to knee injuries and was an entirely different model to the GX 1. 

Now, with the second generation of both models, the Luna shares the same features. The messaging around them being specifically engineered for women is now gone. This confusion continues onto the soleplate, with both models sharing the Cyclone 360 soleplate first seen on the Luna 1, which proved the main focus of Nike's claim that the boot could help prevent the serious knee injuries increasingly seen in the women’s game. The messaging around that is also no longer evident. 

The soleplate itself is solid, but replacing the original one seen on the GX 1 is a mistake in my opinion. While I found that soleplate slightly too flexible, though certainly manageable, now it's even more pliable in the midfoot – something I'm not a huge fan of as someone who prefers a little extra stiffness for stability. Fortunately, the forefoot of the plate is wonderfully snappy and a definite plus. 

Interestingly, the AG versions of both the GX 2 and Luna 2 feature a soleplate that is strikingly similar to that of the GX 1, so this experience is still available for those who end up yearning for the old stud configuration.

In terms of sizing, I would recommend going true to size. The GX 2 also has a fair amount of volume and is a great option for those with wider feet. The toebox offers an extra bit of room that models such as the Adidas Predator Elite share, while being a superior offering overall to boots like the Puma Future 7 Ultimate.

Overall, the Nike Phantom GX 2 Elite takes most of the best features from the first versions of the GX and Luna to create arguably one of the best boots on the market. I absolutely love the improved GripKnit, and it'll be fascinating to see where Nike take the technology going forward. 

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Adidas set tongues wagging at the start of 2024 with the return of the tongue on the Predator boot in a range of retro-inspired colourways, and, as if that wasn’t enough, the Three Stripes have built on this considerable momentum by bringing back one of the brand’s most iconic silos: the F50. 

Discontinued in 2015, Adidas replaced the F50 with the X line, though it struggled to have quite the same impact on the market. By bringing back the F50, Adidas are clearly making a play once again to become the pinnacle of speed boots. 

I tried a pair of the new Adidas F50 Elite in firm ground to see whether the boot itself could live up to its storied name - and if the resurrected model is actually any good.

Adidas F50 Elite review

While the Adidas F50 Elite replaces the X Crazyfast model, this does feel more like a natural progression rather than a complete revamp of the brand's speed boot. For me this is no bad thing because the Crazyfast was a good boot that I enjoyed, but  anyone hoping for something completely different, or even akin, to older F50 models – will be disappointed. 

As expected, the upper is extremely thin and lightweight. Built from the brand's Fibretouch material, the new F50 feels quite similar, both to the touch and on feet, to that of the Crazyfast. It's comfortable straight out of the box, but definitely softens up very quickly, too. There's a raised toebox, too, helping create a little bit of extra space in the forefoot that the majority of the best football boots have. 

Adidas have added Sprintweb 3D texturing to the upper as well, which is concentrated mainly in the forefoot. This provides a rough, gritty grip on the ball when dribbling which was noticeable and something I enjoyed, helping give an extra level of control.

One addition that I found most interesting from the F50 is the Compression Fit Tunnel Tongue that wraps around the foot to help improve lockdown. I think this is a great concept, and certainly one that I would like to see Adidas further develop for future pairs. I didn't, however, feel a massive difference in lockdown, but it's definitely a feature that will accommodate players with wide feet better. 

One of my main complaints with the X Crazyfast was some awkward bunching in the upper, particularly around the ankle and the opening of the boot. While the F50 has improved on this, due to it being a more structured boot overall, the bunching can still be seen at times.

When it comes to the soleplate, Adidas have made the intriguing choice of deviating quite significantly from what they have implemented on previous speed boots. Gone is the carbon/plastic insert seen in the X Ghosted, X Speedflow and X Crazyfast, and so too are many of the chevron studs that made up the highly aggressive stud patterns of those previous models.

Instead, a third of the studs on the soleplate of the F50 Elite are conical – situated towards the midfoot. There are advantages to this, with rotational support improved. It also makes them significantly more friendly to artificial grass – though they are still best kept for firm, natural grass.

The plate, however, is much less snappy due to the removal of the plastic insert, meaning some of the energy return is lost as a result. Overall, though, it is still a very stiff soleplate providing the kind of stability and responsiveness needed from a speed boot. 

These choices, therefore, suggests that Adidas have looked to create a boot that is more balanced, rather than one focused so squarely on speed. This is good news to those who hold things such as comfort at a higher priority than speed or are simply looking for a more rounded experience; but bad if you want an aggressive playing experience more readily available on boots like the New Balance Furon V7+ Pro, Skechers Razor or Nike Mercurial Superfly 9 Elite. 

Most importantly, the Adidas F50 Elite is a good football boot and clearly an improvement on the pair that it replaces. So, regardless of whether you want a pair to be a part of the story or just want a pair of football boots to help you perform on the pitch, the F50 is certainly worth considering.

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The world of football video games has been dominated over the years by EA’s FIFA (now EA Sports FC) behemoth. Many have made attempts to capture a piece of the football video game pie, but in recent years the quality products available to football fans have been light, to say the least. What if you don’t enjoy EA FC and want a more casual experience? Well, Sociable Soccer 24 is here and it wants a space in your hard drive’s starting lineup.

Remember Sensible World of Soccer? It was one of the Amiga’s best video games in the 90s and a cult classic for lots of football fans growing up watching Football Italia on Channel 4. Now the creator of the original game, Jon Hare, is back with Sociable Soccer and the once-Steam exclusive is now available on Nintendo Switch and coming later this year to Xbox and Playstation. But is it any good? Or should you stick to EA’s video game Goliath?

Sociable Soccer first launched as a mobile game for iPhone on Apple Arcade back in 2021, but this new version arrives on console with updated rosters for the 2023/24 season. Like a lot of other football titles, there aren’t official licences for teams, with no authentic badge crests, kits, and names like Ashburton Grove (Arsenal). That said, the game shines with 13,000 FIFPRO licenced players at its disposal bringing all the faces you know and love to life with official images and playstyles similar to their real-life abilities.

Just like Sensible Soccer, the game is easy to learn and hard to master aimed at bringing the best arcade football experience back to fans of the sport. Sociable Soccer 24 is easy to pick up and play utilising just a few buttons to pass, tackle, and shoot. Complex systems like the ability to bend the ball after you’ve kicked it add to the difficulty with lots of depth in gameplay on your road to mastering the mechanics.

I found myself thoroughly enjoying the gameplay, it’s addictive and challenging with a nice dose of nostalgia that makes you miss the old days of arcade football games. There’s even a camera angle to replicate the up/down style of Sensible Soccer, perfect for curling a shot into the top corner.

There’s plenty here for everyone to get their teeth stuck into with multiple game modes to choose from. The main game mode is called Career and works similarly to the Master Leagues on Pro Evolution Soccer of old. You choose your team and start with a random selection of players, all with low stats and not much to write home about.

As you progress up divisions you can upgrade your existing players to get them better stats and bring in better player cards, similar to EA FC Ultimate Team. There are no microtransactions here which is pretty refreshing considering we’ve become so used to paying to improve teams in football games, but it’s all a bit luck of the draw and it’ll take a while to get the players you really want to play with. There’s also no transfer market or anything like that, so you can’t save up and buy a particular player or sell someone from your roster to a rival team.

Elsewhere, the World mode lets you choose from over 1,000 international teams and play across 78 different competitions as you look to fill up your trophy cabinet. This is where I enjoyed Sociable Soccer 24 the most as I took Chelsea to a third European Cup and my beloved Scotland all the way to Berlin for the Euro 2024 final (one can dream).

At launch, the Nintendo Switch version lacks online multiplayer, but my experience with online on Steam Deck wasn’t great anyway, to say the least. Unless you have friends that also own this game, you’ll find a hard time playing someone on the internet — hopefully, the game has some success, and the developer makes it easier to get into online lobbies because at the moment you need to share a code with a mate to even link up. As its name would suggest, local multiplayer is a different story producing fantastic couch play that will have the loser between you and your mates begging for a rematch.

Sociable Soccer 24 is a welcome addition to the world of football video games and a refreshing take on a genre seemingly plagued with microtransactions and sweaty meta gameplay. At first, I couldn’t put the game down, banging in goals left, right, and centre with John McGinn but as my week with the title came to an end its flaws started to show, especially the difficulty in getting into an online lobby. However, anyone looking for a fun arcade football experience should definitely give Sociable Soccer 24 a try, especially if you have friends for local multiplayer where ultimately the game shines the brightest. 

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The New Balance Furon V7+ Pro is the latest offering from the American brand in their most established model, and it certainly delivers on performance, looks and feel.

Having developed a reputation as one of the best boots of its type on the market, and a genuine alternative to speed boots like the Nike Mercurial Superfly and Adidas X Crazyfast, the Furon V7+ Pro is a slight update on the V7, with New Balance opting to release a refined version of the successful predecessor rather than a total revamp.

The result is an improvement, helping produce an even more attractive package. I was able to try a pair in FG on grass to make a full judgement on the New Balance Furon V7+ Pro.

New Balance Furon V7+ Pro review

As with the Furon V7, the upper of the Furon V7+ Pro is made up of Hypoknit, New Balance’s soft knit material. This material is also used on the brand's other elite boot, the Tekela V4+ Pro. However, here there is an even softer, slightly thinner layer of Hypoknit on the upper - making them something I truly loved playing in. 

The result is a boot that is even more comfortable out of the box and allows your foot to feel that bit closer to the ball for that uninterrupted contact. What's more, they're also lightweight, making them a great option for speedy wingers and strikers wanting a barefoot, weightless feel. 

Comfort is also improved by the heel area being curved, which feels slightly more anatomical. This helped lock down my feet into the boot, which is pretty good all round. 

Utilsing an off-centred lacing system, the Furon has a large striking area for clean shots at goal and midfielders looking to rake longer passes across the pitch. 

As can be expected of a low-profile boot of this type, the New Balance Furon V7+ Pro is narrow and fits fairly snugly, though there is still enough volume to make them accommodating for players with slightly wider feet. For those with especially wide feet, New Balance are unique in the football boot market in offering wide fit options for all of their boots, so this is worth exploring for those who struggle to fit into speed boots that tend to be built on the slimmer side. 

The texturing throughout the upper has also changed from the Furon V7, but on both the V7 and the V7+ this is mainly cosmetic rather than having any real effect on the ball like the texturing we see on the uppers of other pairs. 

When it comes to the soleplate, it's simple but effective. Featuring heavily angled, chevron studs, there's plenty of bite in the traction when taking off at speed and the plate itself has good responsiveness with the kind of energy return that makes for a good speed boot.

I wore these on natural grass, and from my experience believe this is the only surface that these are safe to wear on. The aggressive stud pattern is wholly unsuitable for artificial ground, and playing with these on that surface would come with significant injury risk. New Balance do also offer a dedicated AG option, so this is worth considering if you primarily play on these surfaces. 

I would recommend going at least a half size up for the best fit with the Furon V7+. I wore my pair at a half size up and although they fit very snugly, this was still the best option for me. The sizing for New Balance pair does seem to diverge pretty dramatically from other brands so it is worth trying before buying. Indeed, I think the best fit for me would have been somewhere between a half size and full size larger than my usual.

Overall, New Balance continue to go from strength to strength thanks to consistently improving on good quality football boots, helping them close the gap to the dominant brands in the market. These improvements do not go unnoticed, and curious consumers looking for an alternative to the status quo are becoming increasingly likely to opt for a pair such as the New Balance Furon V7+ Pro. 

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Under Armour is a globally renowned and established brand that in recent years has seemed to withdraw every so slightly from the football boot market. 

With the recent release of the Shadow Elite 2.0 and signing on of young upcoming stars of the game such as Fermin Lopez, the brand appears to be making a renewed effort to make a real dent in a market that is increasingly featuring more and more players offering high quality options. 

Alongside the Shadow Elite is Under Armour’s other elite boot, the Clone Magnetico Elite 3.0, and I tried a pair of these to ascertain whether they are a step in the right direction towards the brand’s aims in the market.

Under Armour Clone Magnetico 3.0 review

The Clone Magnetico is the Under Armour silo that was worn perhaps most famously by Liverpool and England star Trent Alexander-Arnold before he made his well-publicised switch to Adidas to wear the new Predator model. 

With the leather imitating synthetic material that makes up the upper being stitched into something of a quilted pattern, the Under Armour Clone Magnetico 3.0 is aesthetically the most unique-looking boot on the market. 

Using Under Armour's clone technology, which the brand says allows it to adapt to the movements of your foot, the upper is certainly comfortable, with the synthetic very soft out of the box. The synthetic material only covers a little over half of the boot before transitioning into a much more rigid material around the heel, though, meaning break-in time is slightly longer further back in the boot. 

The haptic print between the clone waves (raised parts of the upper) is geared towards extra grip, and this can be felt subtly when dribbling with the Under Armour Clone Magnetico 3.0. It is certainly not as dramatic a grip as provided by the upper of something like the Nike Phantom GX, or with the striking elements on the Predator 24, but it provides a nice extra feeling on the ball. 

I found the upper does an OK job of imitating leather, while it provides a padded feel on the ball and extra protection in addition to the grip that comes with the haptic print. This would work well for defenders.

Where the Clone Magnetico falls down, however, is that the heel is too rigid for my liking and doesn't allow for much in the way of manoeuvring for different foot types - not great for wide feet. The hardness of the material in the heel can definitely be felt against your feet, which isn't a particularly comfortable sensation. 

I wore the FG version of the Under Armour Clone Magnetico 3.0 on both artificial ground and natural grass. The soleplate features predominantly conical studs so is passable on AG, though not a specialist option for these types of surfaces. 

Half of the studs feature a slightly bladed extension to provide extra traction that is especially advantageous when worn on grass, making it a good outsole offering a nice level of support. Conical studs also make rotating easier and more comfortable underfoot, too. 

I wore these true to size and would recommend this for the best fit, though the boot has quite a low toe box which created a bit of extra pressure at the front of the boot with my toe against the upper itself. Again, this was not significantly uncomfortable for me, but for those with different foot types this could pose more of a problem. Therefore, I'd definitely urge anyone contemplating these to try them on first before committing to buying them. 

Overall, the Under Armour Clone Magnetico 3.0 is a boot that captures well the brand’s tendency to do things slightly differently to competitors on the market. The level of contrast between the uniquely soft and adaptive material that makes up most of the upper and the solidity of the heel is something that is unlike any of the best boots available on the market. 

This is a pair that is worth trying for anyone looking for something a little different, but as far as UA’s redoubled efforts in this space, the Clone Magnetico may not be quite enough to move the needle - personally, I believe the Shadow Elite 2.0 will do more in that regard.

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The latest set of speed boots from Adidas represents a slight deviation from what we have become used to over the past few years. 

For the first time since 2016, the centrepiece of the brand’s speed selection is not a laceless boot. Instead, the ‘+’ option of the Crazyfast generation is laced, features a tongue, and is a different model entirely to the laceless version which has been relegated to the Crazyfast.1 category alongside its own laced counterpart. 

That means there are now three elite options available from Adidas, but is the Adidas Crazyfast+, at £20 and £30 more than the laceless and laced .1 models, respectively, worth its position as the premium option? I tried an FG pair to find out.

Adidas X Crazyfast+ review

The Adidas X Crazyfast line replaces the X Speedportal, with all three models of the new generation a marked improvement on the outgoing boots. While not the worst boot, the Speedportal was a massive step down from the excellent Speedflow that it replaced, and featured a slightly less flexible upper out of the box than I personally like. 

With an upper that is unrivalled when compared to the best boots on the market, the lightness and thinness is built using what Adidas call ‘Aeropacity speedskin+’, a thin film that covers a semi-translucent mesh. Supported by the brand’s ‘aerocage+’ skeleton, this helps give the boot a weightless sensation while still providing an adequate structure to midfielders, strikers and even defenders. 

Plus, the upper softens up extremely quickly, resulting in a boot that I could barely feel on my feet. There is a level of comfort that comes with the minimalism of the upper with the complete absence of any restrictions or distractions. This is, of course, not for everyone, because some players do prefer that little bit of extra support and structure from a boot. In my experience, though, I thoroughly enjoyed wearing the X Crazyfast+ for the upper alone. 

Featuring a separated tongue, the boot is constructed in a slightly more traditional way, making them fit a little wider than conventional speed boots which focus on a narrow build. The tongue and laces do, however, feel a little flimsy, and I would have preferred if the laces in particular were a little more substantial given that it wouldn't have added any noticeable weight.

There is also a little bit of extra space around the opening of the boots that I was not a fan of. Ideally, a boot will wrap around the whole of your foot when tied tight, but I found there is some room around the ankle with the Adidas X Crazyfast+ and this also creates some awkward looking bunching and creasing in this area. The lockdown in this area of the boot is less than perfect, so if you prefer a very
locked in feel then I'd definitely recommend trying these before buying.

When it comes to the soleplate, it's exactly the same as the other Crazyfast models, having been brought forward from the Speedportal. With chevron studs in the forefoot and more bladed studs in the heel, it's one of the most aggressive outsoles on the market. The plastic insert through the middle of the plate provides the kind of responsiveness that you want from a boot intended for those who like to go fast, and it is on the whole wonderfully snappy, helping you take off at speed. 

These are the boots worn by some of the brand’s most explosive athletes, such as Gabriel Martinelli, Achraf Hakimi and Mohamed Salah, and the construction reflects that well with the upper and soleplate lending themselves perfectly to raw speed.

I wore these on dry, natural grass and would recommend keeping the FG version
of the Crazyfast+ exclusively for this surface. Wearing these on artificial ground would be unsafe due to how aggressive the soleplate is, and Adidas do offer a dedicated AG option of this boot so I'd suggest opting for those instead. 

The Adidas X Crazyfast+ does enough to justify its place at the top the brand’s speed tree of three, going even further than the two .1 models in creating an almost impossibly lightweight, thin upper aimed for distraction-free speed. In this particular boot, this does come at the expense of some structure and lockdown, and those who would prefer a different trade-off between minimalism and support may actually prefer the Adidas Crazyfast.1 in the laced variety.

For me, though, the Crazyfast+ is a great speed boot that provides the right tools for a boot of its type. They'd certainly be a welcome addition to the arsenal of any budding speed demon or player looking for a pair that listens faithfully to all the movements of your feet.

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The Puma Future 7 Ultimate is the latest in a series that boasts the best modern boots that the brand has to offer, released in 2024 to refresh an already great option on the market.

Previous generations of the Future Ultimate have consistently provided excellent fit, comfort and been near the cutting edge of technology, with much of Puma’s most advanced innovation in the boot market being seen in the Future line. They always stacked up well among the best football boots, but Puma has attempted to improve them further with this latest version.

I was able to try a pair of the Future 7 in the FG/AG variety to see whether the newest instalment in the story lives up to and, more importantly, builds on its predecessors.

Puma Future 7 Ultimate review

As has been the case with many of the different models of the Puma Future, the outgoing Puma Future Ultimate was a good football boot that delivered on its promises. It is therefore great to see that, rather than starting from scratch as we do sometimes see between generations of boots, Puma has opted instead to refine and add to the foundations of the Future Ultimate with the Future 7. 

The Fuzionfit 360 material has been brought forward and once again forms the upper. It is not hard to see why, with the Puma Future 7 being comfortable straight out of the box. The boots require no real break-in time, and feel better out of the box than many pairs I've experienced when fully worn in. 

The most significant difference between the Future 7 and the Future Ultimate is the placing of Puma’s Pwrtape technology – aimed at providing extra support and lockdown in key areas. Whereas the previous model featured Pwrtape along the sides of the boot, in the Puma Future 7 it is concentrated more centrally with the extra pressure felt on the top of the foot. 

And for me this is an improvement, with the upper feeling that little bit more flexible as the pressure on the sides from the previous generation is alleviated. Plus, the extra lockdown is at the top of the boot (where I personally prefer it) keeping your foot in place against the knit as you move around the pitch and on the ball. 

The Puma Future 7 also boasts a pleasant touch on the ball with the Pwrprint texturing spread across the upper providing subtle grip particularly when dribbling, making them ideal for midfielders looking to manoeuvre the ball in tight areas. 

Softness of the upper also creates an enjoyable on-ball experience, while the flexibility ensures there are no uncomfortable pressure points when twisting and turning – instead, players can concentrate on making things happen for their team-mates. 

As with previous versions of the Future, the boots also fit fairly widely so are a great option for those with wider feet. This is another area where the repositioning of the Pwrtape could be beneficial, with reduced stress on the sides of the foot. However, those with foot shapes that require a little more space at the top of the foot may be best served trying a pair of the Puma Future 7 before buying.

The Dynamic Motion System soleplate is inherited from the Puma Future Ultimate and is very sturdy in the midfoot for stability but with a good level of flexibility in the forefoot in order complement the naturals movements of your feet. The outsole does provide some bite while not being amongst the most aggressive on the market, featuring some bladed alongside diamond shaped studs. 

There is enough extra traction when pushing off at high speed to make these a good choice for explosive players looking for a pair to complement their game. As with previous generations of the Future, these are listed as FG/AG, meaning that they are suitable for wear on both natural grass and artificial surfaces.

However, due to the length and shape of the studs I would argue that these are not the best or safest option to wear on artificial ground. Indeed, Puma’s MG soleplates are actually a much better bet for AG. With the Puma Future, the brand’s emphasis has always been on agility and creativity. This can be seen in the stars selected by Puma to wear the model with the ever-growing roster now featuring the likes of Jorginho, Kai Havertz and Jack Grealish. 

The comfort and flexibility of the Puma Future 7 added to the structure provided by the Pwrtape, grippiness of the upper and bite in the soleplate means that this is a boot that does what it sets out to and delivers on its promises. 

While it would be great to see Puma drop the FG/AG classification and introduce a dedicated AG option, the Puma Future is once again able to stack up to the offerings from its two main rivals in the market and represents a great choice for any player looking for a new pair.

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Having been around long enough to produce multiple generations of a couple of
models and boast partnerships with household names such as Trent Alexander-
Arnold, Granit Xhaka and Memphis Depay, Under Armour can no longer be seen
as a newcomer in the football boot market. 

Those stars have all since moved on to other brands, with Alexander-Arnold most notably signing on with Adidas at the backend of 2023 to become one of the faces of the Adidas Predator. 

Under Armour, too, has moved on, with a new roster of players and generation of football boots as part of a renewed effort to challenge at the top table of the industry, where the best football boots are created.

The centrepiece of this is the Under Armour Shadow Elite 2.0 - and I was able to try a pair of these to see how they stack up against the other options in what is an increasingly competitive space.

Under Armour Shadow Elite 2.0 review

Perhaps the most striking feature of the Shadow Elite 2.0 is under foot, with what is arguably the most unique looking soleplate on the market. The stud placement is quite unlike anything else available, with 11 bladed studs of varying lengths dotted around, including one at centre of the heel and one near the centre of the forefoot.

Whereas most outsoles feature two or four fairly symmetrical studs in the heel, the Shadow Elite has two fixed horizontally on the inside of the boot, one vertically on the outside with the aforementioned heel stud being slightly curved and situated horizontally. 

The full carbon fibre soleplate is also a feature that was once fairly common, utilised by Nike in particular, but rarely seen on the best football boots today. This is
something that many boot enthusiasts have been crying out for since it fell out of fashion, and it's certainly a feature that always intrigues me.

Agility is something Under Armour has placed heavy emphasis on in their marketing of the boot, and the soleplate is a representation of that – engineered to aid braking and quick cuts with each stud designed for a slightly different movement. 

This means the plate is on the aggressive side, due to the responsiveness that comes with carbon fibre and the biting traction of fully bladed studs. This is also means that this is a pair that is best kept for natural grass pitches as it could be dangerous if used on artificial surfaces due to just how aggressive the traction is. 

The outsole does a good job of delivering on its promises and I enjoyed the energy return of the carbon plate when pushing off balanced against good flexibility in the forefoot. There is also a nice stability provided by the stiffness of the midfoot.

Largely billed as a boot for agility, the Under Armour Shadow Elite 2.0 fits quite squarely in the ‘speed’ boot category against the likes of the New Balance Furon, Nike Mercurial Superfly and Adidas X series. Much like most of the other boots in this
category, the Shadow Elite is built with a one piece, lightweight, slim, knitted upper with the knit around the lacing being elasticated to help when putting them on. 

For Under Armour, it is ‘IntelliKnit’ that is used for the upper. Interestingly and unlike some of the other options available, about half of the knitted material on the Shadow Elite is exposed rather than covered, with some type of reinforcement for extra structure. 

Here, the reinforcement is saved for specific areas of the boot that most require extra structure, and is what Under Armour calls Exomesh. This can be seen particularly around the midfoot, where the upper is at its most sturdy. 

The presence of so much exposed knit brings a softness and extra flexibility to these parts of the upper. IntelliKnit appears to be slightly thicker than most of the equivalents from other brands, and this may be in part to counteract the lack of another structure around it on a lot of the boot. 

It also features some holes around the lacing, presumably to add extra breathability to the slightly thicker knitted material. I do, however, think this is something that I could have done without, as it could prove problematic on rainy days - especially when the knit itself is premium enough for breathability to not pose any major issues. 

In terms of quality, IntelliKnit is as good as anything else currently available and this 50/50 split is a feature that I am a fan of. Exposed knit is, however, extremely difficult to clean so this may be something to consider, especially on the launch colourway of the Shadow Elite 2.0 where it is white.

The boots fit fairly narrow, so might not be the best choice for those with very wide feet, particularly in the midfoot area where the Exomesh can be felt most. The knit around the top of the boot will create a little extra stretch in this area, and these should be OK for most foot types, though I'd always recommend trying them on before buying if you consider yourself to have especially wide feet. 

Indeed, this is a boot aimed at quick and agile players, and boots of this type do tend to be slimmer and lower profile. 

I wore these true to size and would recommend this for the best fit. 

Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah was unveiled as the face of the boot, with Barcelona starlet Fermin Lopez quickly following, and these players encapsulate Under Armour’s approach both with the Shadow Elite 2.0 and more generally - moving forward with a fresh, exciting feel with emphasis on stars in the making.

The football boot market is in a fascinating space at the moment with competitors to the status quo of the two biggest brands now consistently releasing products that rival them in quality. These competitors also appear increasingly able to attract both stars of note and promise – a factor that is impossible to underestimate in terms of its influence in the jostling for position within the market. 

New players, like Skechers, have entered the market with a great deal of intent, and it is clear that Under Armour are making a big push to get near to the top of what is becoming an increasingly congested mountain. The Shadow Elite 2.0 in terms of aesthetics and performance is a considerable step towards this and is a genuine alternative to what you might be used to.

More football boot reviews 

Skechers Razor review: A unique option that combines speed with comfort

New Balance Tekela V4+ Pro Low review: Improving upon everything that was already right about a football boot

Nike Phantom GX Elite review: Can these football boots improve your touch on the ball?

Skechers’ entry into the market was one of the biggest stories in the world of football boots in 2023. The release of their mystery, unbranded pairs preceded a full launch headed by England captain and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane. 

While Kane is now the face of the Skechers football division, he more specifically wears the Skechers SKX 01 – a boot aimed at players looking for a 'control' option. The Skechers Razor, though, is the brand's first 'speed' boot, and is now seen on the feet of stars such as Anthony Elanga, Bobby Decordova-Reid and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Skechers have certainly succeeded in grabbing people’s attention, but do the boots themselves deliver? I tried a pair of the Skechers Razor in firm ground to find out how they compare to the best football boots available. 

Skechers Razor review 

Having built a reputation for providing near unrivalled comfort in their everyday footwear, I was particularly intrigued to see whether Skechers could carry this comfort over into a category of boots that focus on speed and aggression through super thin and lightweight materials.

And, I am pleased to say that this is a test that Skechers have passed with flying colours. The forefoot of the upper is reminiscent of the Nike Mercurial Vapor 10, widely regarded as one of the best and most comfortable of its type ever released. 

It is soft and flexible right out of the box, and softens further after a few wears to
cement the Skechers Razor as the most comfortable synthetic speed boot on the market right now. Pleasingly, this does not come at the expense of the lightness or thinness that are important for a speed boot, with the material still extremely thin and the boots ultra lightweight. 

One of the highlights of the boot is that the upper is split between the super soft synthetic that makes up the forefoot, and a knit that begins in the midfoot and continues towards the heel. This knitted mesh is good quality and the transition
between what are two quite different materials to the touch is seamless on my feet.

I did find that the Razors fit slightly wider than the majority of the speed boots on the market, though, with the toe box especially wide when compared to other pairs labelled in this category. A great option for those with wider feet who still want the experience of a highly responsive, lightweight boot, the Skechers Razor are certainly accommodating. 

However, I have slightly slimmer feet and found that they weren't overly awkward to wear, either. With that in mind, I would recommend going true to size for the Skechers Razor.

With all-chevron studs implemented, the soleplate is very aggressive for pushing off and twisting at high speed. I wore these on firm, natural grass pitches as a soleplate like this can be dangerous when worn on artificial ground and Skechers do not currently offer an AG option for the boot. This aggression is aided by stability in the heel, with a carbon fibre insert helping keep the foot locked in. 

What I did find is that the Razor lacks the responsiveness that some soleplates from speed boots possess, with Skechers seemingly opting for a more flexible sole for the sake of comfort. 

Given so many casual footballers play almost exclusively on artificial ground, the lack of a dedicated option for this surface from a brand making an entry into the boot market seems strange, and I would expect this to be something Skechers addresses in the near future. They are also yet to release a soft ground option of the Razor, which unfortunately limits the options players have.

Regardless, the Skechers Razor is a solid first attempt in the 'speed' boot category, especially when considering the qualities of some favourites that sit in there: the Nike Mercurial Superfly and Adidas X Crazyfast are both adored by boot enthusiasts.

Indeed, the Skechers Razor has a lot of the things you want a speed boot to have; they are slim, lightweight and have very aggressive traction. That Skechers have succeeded in really imprinting its signature comfort among these other features is also hugely impressive, and makes the boot stand out as something of a unique option. 

Coming in at a cheaper price than other similar options currently available means these should certainly be taken into consideration when deciding on your next pair of boots. And, if their next moves are as good as their first, Skechers will be a big player in the boot market for a long time to come.

More football boot reviews 

Skechers SKX 01 review: Harry Kane's new boot sponsor entered the market with a bang, but are they any good?

Adidas Predator Elite review: Upgraded both aesthetically and for performance, the latest version could be its best ever

Nike Phantom GX Elite review: Can these football boots improve your touch on the ball?

Over the last few years, New Balance’s reputation in the football boot market has grown rapidly. 

Partnering with both established stars and emerging talents such as Sadio Mane, Raheem Sterling, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and future Real Madrid forward Endrick has helped elevate the brand, bringing it a new level of attention. 

For a lasting impact, this of course must be coupled with real quality football boots - something that New Balance have consistently delivered in recent years. The newly released Tekela V4+ Pro is another chapter in the impressive story being written by the brand, and I took a closer look into just how well they really perform. 

New Balance Tekela V4+ Pro Low

The New Balance Tekela V4+ Pro is a slight update on the V4 that was, for me, the most underrated boot on the market. The Tekela had been New Balance’s laceless option for a few years, but late last year they also released a laced and low version.

With New Balance's preference to make subtle changes to existing models, rather than complete annual revamps that can see the best football boots replaced too soon, the Tekela V4+ Pro Low builds upon an already great boot to make an even better product. 

Just as with the V4, the upper of New Balance Tekela V4+ is built using the brand’s hypoknit material, but it's even softer and more flexible than found on the outgoing V4.

I found the boot the most comfortable option on the market that is not made from natural leather, plus it requires absolutely no time to break in. The knit is also able to stretch slightly over time, so the perfect fit can be achieved as the boots mould to your feet and their every movement. There's almost no barrier between foot and ball, either, with the knit so thin it gives a proper one-to-one sensation. 

The texturing on the upper of the V4+ has been slightly updated, too, but it won't make a drastic difference on the ball compared to the last version, though some extra grip is added. 

My foot was a little more snug in the forefoot of the boot, with the toebox on the V4+ a little lower and more pointed than the previous generation. Despite that, they have a fair amount of volume which means they can still work well with wide feet, while the more stretchy upper provides a bit more wriggle room. 

But if you have especially wide feet, don't fret! New Balance also offer a wide fit option for all of their boots, so finding the right fit certainly shouldn't be a problem.

When it comes to the soleplate, there's a combination of both conical studs and bladed studs, with the latter dotted around the edge of the outsole. This is a unique configuration, with conical studs allowing for easier twisting and turning while the bladed studs adds extra traction when cutting quickly. It is the same plate as the one used on the New Balance Tekela V4 Pro, and is flexible enough for nice comfort underfoot, but has a nice level of rigidity in the midfoot that provides good energy return. 

I was able to try the laced V4+ on a few different surfaces to give my verdict, using the firm ground version at all times. Obviously, I found that they worked best on dry, natural grass pitches. Despite that, the abundance of conical studs on the outsole means the V4+ isn't the worst FG pair to wear on artificial grass, though the bladed studs aren't necessarily suitable. Regardless, New Balance don't offer an AG version.

I wore a pair half a size larger than my usual for the Tekela V4+, and this is what I would recommend if anyone is considering buying these. If you are comfortable with a very snug fit then true-to-size may work, but it is worth trying a pair of these before buying if you can. 

My pair of New Balance Tekela V4+ was my usual size and it wasn’t until they stretched a little that I could wear them comfortably - and even then it was a little tighter than I would prefer. The sizing remains the same between the two pairs and the fit of my V4+ pair at half a size up is a lot better.

Overall, New Balance have firmly established themselves as a viable alternative to the big three brands for both professional and casual players. The difficulty brands that aren’t Nike, Adidas or Puma often have is getting consumers to deviate from the status quo in order to find out whether alternatives are as good or better. 

New Balance have been able to make a big dent in this with smart marketing moves coupled with very good football boots, highlighted through the Tekela V4+ Pro. This is a boot that matches up to just about anything else in the market and is more than worth considering for anyone looking for a new pair.

More football boot reviews

Skechers SKX 01 review: Harry Kane's new boot sponsor entered the market with a bang, but are they any good?

Adidas Predator Elite review: Upgraded both aesthetically and for performance, the latest version could be its best ever

Nike Phantom GX Elite review: Can these football boots improve your touch on the ball?

Standing out from the crowd as a footballer isn't easy. It's the most popular sport worldwide and pretty much everybody grows up hoping they'll make it to the top level. Finding that edge could provide all the difference between a professional career and turning gout for the Dog & Duck on Sundays. 

It's all well and good putting in the extra hours at training, staying fit and eating right, but if you aren't able to pinpoint the areas you need to improve on, you're unlikely to know where those extra hours should be spent. 

CityPlay aims to provide those answers. The state of the art technology give instant feedback to footballers after every training session and game – breaking down the stats and literally showing you your strengths and weaknesses. 

The software, developed by Manchester City,  maps out your entire game, in easy to understand metrics, and places it in the palm of your hand. FFT couldn't wait to give  to give it a whirl...

• CityPlay by Playermaker on playermaker.com for €189

CityPlay review

When unboxing the PlayerMaker hardware that works in unison with CityPlay, FFT finds two rubber bootstraps, plus a small case which resembles the kind which Apple iPods come in. Inside the latter is two chips, labelled for left and right, which slot into the rubber bootstraps. Once charged for half an hour with a USB C cable,  we put the chips in the straps and, before leaving home for football training, fit the straps around our boots. 

It’s worth noting that, while the straps are designed to work in all weather conditions and on any kind of surface. FFT is training in the bleak midwinter, in astroturfs, on a 3G pitch, so we’re grateful not to have to wear studs to test them out. 

Once fitted onto your foot, the chips are held just below your outer ankles. This is a great thing as it’s not a part of your boot you ever use during football matches and so they’re unlikely to cause any issues. The straps themselves – black on white boots in this instance – are also not easily spotted, meaning you can go about your business without people wondering what you’re wearing. 

Before training, FFT has also downloaded the CityPlay app and registered. An annual subscription to the service costs £180 – no small sum but, if it's effective in taking our  game to the next level, it could prove a bargain. 

When setting up a profile, you’re asked a series of questions in order to build a profile. I input my age, gender, favourite position on the pitch, dominant foot, and, charmingly, the name of my club and which team I belong to (as in: first team, reserves, or a specific age category). Even filling in this data is mildly enjoyable – like creating your own player on EA Sports FC. 

Once set up, you’re taken to your profile page, featuring a skill graph that, once filled, will show scores for the following five attributes: two-footedness, dribbling, first touch, agility and speed (there are literally dozens of other attributes you'll be scored on, but these are the main five that appear on your profile page). Beneath, you’ll also be scored for the number of matches, training sessions and overall minutes you spend using the technology. 

We trained for 90 minutes – a session which included a warm-up, some agility drills, shooting practice, short-sided games and then a larger eight-vs-eight match on half a full-sized pitch – before eagerly scampering back to the bench to discovering our stats. FFT had told a couple of mates about the tech and so we all gathered round to have a look at my scores. 

You may have seen videos in the past of professional footballers reviewing their own FIFA or EA Sports FC stats cards and bemoaning aspects of it (“I’m way better at passing than 78, that’s a joke!”). Well now you can do that too. As a friend pointed out, however, this was a pointless task. The app doesn’t care what you think and your score is your score and, besides, everyone found it both accurate and hilarious. One of FFT's team-mates even asked if he could wear it at training next week. You can guess the response…

We went home that night and couldn’t help but stew about our score for shooting. It hadn’t been terrible but it was now obvious that it needed work and, after the next session the following Tuesday evening, FFT took a bag of balls and spent 20 minutes pinging shots at a goalkeeper, trying to improve with our left foot especially. Once we managed to get that score up, dribbling will be next. 

The app also stores personal records, from shot power and top speed, top distance covered and in-game touches. What's more, you can share your profile with friends and team-mates and track your own process over longer periods, with graphs and tables showing you how your game is progressing. FFT is looking forward to making the most of these smart additions throughout the season. 

All things considered, the app is a huge success. Seeing your weaknesses clearly, in an easy-to-read graph, and watching those improvements is a thrilling, oddly addictive experience. 

While we do think overloading very young kids with stats and piling pressure on them to improve is a worrying notion – football at that age is meant to be fun, after all – CityPlay offers an incredible resource to slightly older footballers who want to challenge themselves to be the best that they can be. The app can’t improve your game directly – it merely shows you where improvements can be made – but taking those stats to a coach could save time when narrowing down areas of improvement.

Technology plays a huge part in our lives already, helping us to improve our fitness, diets, organisation and even our love lives. It seems crazy not to use what we can to improve ourselves as footballers as well. CityPlay makes that as simple and as fun as possible. 

Brands have found it increasingly difficult to produce football boots that achieve the sort of legendary status that iconic pairs of the past were once able to. This is due to the relentless speed with which new models are created and replaced in the modern era. 

Capturing the imagination has never been harder - not helped by the plethora of colourways released on a constant basis. Indeed, iconic boots are harder to come by due to the lack of association between players and specific colours, which often helps to elevate a pair's timeless status. Gone are the days of players wearing the same style all season, colours are switched up often after just a handful of games.

Every now and then, though, a model of boot comes along that is able to cut through the noise, build momentum and enhance its status as a truly quality option among the best football boots on the market. 

It is to this category that the Nike Phantom GX Elite looks set to belong.

Nike Phantom GX Elite review

The Nike Phantom GX Elite comes in a low and a mid-cut ‘Dynamic Fit’ version, and I wore the low version across a few different surfaces to help improve my verdict. Almost immediately, I noticed a big step up from the Nike Phantom GT 2 Elite that they replaced. 

With the upper made up mainly of Nike’s Gripknit material – soft, sticky yarns that offer that extra bit of grip when controlling the ball and dribbling - the Phantom GX have a unique feel. Indeed, the Gripknit upper is one of the more interesting pieces of innovation I have seen on football boots in recent years.

You can feel just how grippy the upper is when you touch the boot with your hands and, more importantly, the extra grip can also be felt with the ball at you feet. Rain doesn't negatively impact the GX's grip levels either, as the material water is resistant. Handy for those who play their football in Britain.

The Gripknit sits on top of the lacing system and wraps the boot in such a way as to create two distinct pieces, giving the boot quite a wide fit. Suitable for those with wider feet, narrow-footed players may find these a little roomy - though not to a degree that will affect performance.

Comfortable straight out of the box, I found the Phantom GX don't require much time to break in, thanks to the softness and pliability of the upper. And, once on, the feel of the Gripknit makes them noticeably different from any other boot I have tried on the market. 

With slightly off-centred lacing, there's a clean striking area for shooting and longer passes, as demonstrated by agile creators like Kevin de Bruyne, Phil Foden and Gavi. 

I found the heel very soft and flexible, with the removal of part of the heel counter making for a much less structured heel area that can be seen on a lot of boots currently available. This adds a little in terms of comfort, but also means an important area of the boot lacks a bit of protection for my liking. 

If any rouge opponents do step on the back of your boot while you're wearing these you are likely to feel it a lot more than in boots with a more solid heel. 

When it comes to traction, the soleplate is made up of tristar, chevron and conical studs to aid every type of movement. The chevrons at the toe area at the top of the soleplate add aggression when looking to take off at speed, with the conical studs in the midfoot and heel helping  crafty players twist and turn far more easily. The tristar studs that make up the rest of the outsole aid side-to-side movement.

Also included on the soleplate is what Nike calls an 'Agility Line', adding a little bit of rigidity to what it is a very flexible soleplate. From my experience, the soleplate is perhaps a little too flexible - it is possible to almost fold the boot in half in hand, which is an unusual level of flexion. Though some players might like this.

Personally, I would have preferred more structure and bite in the outsole to improve the energy return which is important when trying to push off at speed.

I wore the Firm Ground (FG) version of the Nike Phantom GX Elite on both grass and artificial ground, and would highly recommend keeping these for natural grass surfaces. Bear in mind that Nike do offer an Artificial Grass (AG) specific version of the boot, specifically intended for 4G.

Though not the worst FG boots to wear on artificial grass, especially when considering they feature some conical studs, an AG-specific pair is always best when playing on artificial ground.

The recent release of the Nike Phantom GX 2 has certainly brought the GX and its possible legacy into greater scrutiny, but the verdict seems to be that the newer release has a lot to live up to. 

Indeed, the release of the newer generation means that the Phantom GX Elite is an even more attractive option, with huge savings to be made on nine colourways available in sizes ranging from UK 3.5 to 12.

With 2024 marking the 30th anniversary of the Predator, Adidas have commemorated the milestone by releasing a boot that embodies its heritage, sending fans all over the world into waves of excitement with the return of the iconic fold over tongue.

The tongue has not been seen since Adidas moved away from it with the Predator X in 2009 - which signalled the end of the Predator for many purists before its formal discontinuation in 2015. Not even its 2017 reintroduction could do anything to win Predator diehards over, but that has now changed. 

By far and away the brand's most famous model, having been worn by some of its greatest players during their most memorable, the Predator 24 truly harks back to its roots with this already iconic design. The Predator is back.

Of course, it is not just the looks that makes the Predator such a titan of football boot history, it's how it feels. So I took a pair of the Adidas Predator Elite FT in firm ground onto the pitch to see if the performance matches the looks - and how they stack up against the best football boots available. 

Adidas Predator Elite review

One thing I can say for certain is that Adidas have only returned to the past with these aesthetically - the boots fit, feel and perform like a modern boot, there is nothing 90s about the technology here. This boot is much more like recent Adidas Predator iterations than the iconic models that the 2024 design harks back to. 

With an upper made from Hybridtouch 2.0 (an updated version of the material Adidas used on some generations of the F50 and brought forward for the previous model of the Predator) there is no natural leather on the boot at all. Hybridtouch is a soft, pliable synthetic material built to partially recreate the sensation of a leather boot, and is a good choice of material for a modern Predator as Adidas look to move away from mass-produced leather versions. 

The result is a pair of boots that are pretty comfortable straight out of the box and require very little time to break in. They do of course miss a little of the softness of a leather pair and are actually slightly tougher than the previous model, the Predator Accuracy. This, though, doesn't pose any significant problems when on the pitch.

Even just holding these in my hands they are noticeably light, conforming to Adidas' claim they are the lightest Predators EVER. This is an interesting feature to highlight for a model leaning so heavily on the heritage of the boot; being lightweight was never a concern during the classic Predator era and many versions of the boot even included features that added weight for extra power!

The lightness you feel on your feet while wearing the 2024 Predator represents a continued commitment to modernising the boot, even if on the surface they give the look of a throwback. And I for one am glad this is the case, as the combination of that classic look and modern feel is really great. 

Adidas have released many remakes of the best loved Predators of all time, and these tend to feature close-to-exact recreations of the original uppers. Often this makes them feel a little outdated, however, with excess weight and bulk. Fortunately, the latest Predator release sees Adidas capture the nostalgia while still making a boot that is fit for purpose in 2024.

The boots do fit more snugly than I was expecting. The low and laced version of the Predator Accuracy was very accommodating for those with wide feet but this model is narrower, particularly in the forefoot area. Something worth keeping in mind for those with especially wide feet, as well as players who prefer more space in the toe box: going a half-size up might be beneficial. I wore these in my usual size but I'm someone who doesn't mind a slightly tighter fit.

Adidas have moved away from the soleplate seen on the last two generations of the Predator for the 24 model, instead utilising what they are calling Controlframe 2.0, a solid but flexible outsole consisting of tristar studs. I wore these on both grass and artificial surfaces, and while they were passable on 4G, it's certainly best to keep the firm ground version of the Predator 24 Elite for natural grass - especially given the array of artificial grass options that Adidas have on offer for the latest model.

Functionally speaking, the boot is largely an upgraded version of the outgoing Predator Accuracy. By adding the tongue, Adidas have ensured an improved Predator has now become one of the most-sought after boots on the market, elevating it to a status not seen in recent times. You will, however, have to pay extra for the benefit of having the tongue and given it does not add any performance benefit, the price compared to the versions without the tongue is a bit of a negative.

Indeed, the power of the tongue can be seen in the speed at which this version of the boot has vanished from shelves compared to the laced version without the tongue. That boot performs exactly the same, and includes all of the same technology, it just simply doesn't have the fold-over tongue on top of its laces.

In my opinion we have seen a marketing masterclass from Adidas around the release of the Predator 24. The legendary status of the Predator and most models of similar reputation come largely from the players who have been chosen to wear them. 

David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane and Steven Gerrard spring to mind when you think of the classic Predators, with Jude Bellingham’s rise to superstardom, since moving to Real Madrid, coinciding perfectly with his new role as the face of the Predator. 

Bellingham has certainly become the latest in a long line of talented, creative and charismatic midfield players who have held this most important mantle for Adidas.

It may be very early, but it already looks like the Adidas Predator Elite, as a full package, will be tough to beat. With three colourways already released and available in kids sizes 10K - 5.5 and adult sizes 3.5 - 13, there are plenty people who will be looking to get their hands on the new Predators. 

Aesthetically these boots have awoken the latent adulation of fans in their 30s and 40s, while there's been a noticeable improvement in performance on the previous generation of the boot. The fit in the forefoot could prove restrictive for many with wider feet, or those who prefer a little more room, and the decision to charge a premium for the tongue compared to versions without is a definite negative, but this is a release in which Adidas have got almost everything right.

Even without the tongue, these would have been a marked improvement on the Predator Accuracy - so the addition of an element that die hard fans have been missing means that 2024 may just belong to the Predator already.

Over the last few years, the Puma Future range has quickly developed a reputation as one of the best in the market and is arguably the jewel in Puma’s football boot crown. These are for those full of flair and creativity as shown by the stars who wear them such as Neymar, James Maddison and Jack Grealish.

How we tested the Puma Future Z 1.4 boots

We wore a pair of the FG/AG Puma Future Z 1.4 on both grass and 4G. As the FG/AG classification suggests, these should be suitable for wear on both grass and artificial ground. However, they are better suited to use on grass than on AG in part due to the length of the studs.

Comfort and fit

The Puma Future is the most comfortable non-leather football boot from the three big brands. The EvoKnit upper is unbelievably soft out of the box, requiring no break in time whatsoever – you really do almost feel like you are wearing a pair of socks but with enough padding to feel adequately protected.

The Fuzionfit+ compression band around the midfoot and lace area gives the boots great lockdown. The band hugs your feet really nicely in a way that makes you feel at one with the boots. The lockdown is so good that Puma say laces are optional, but we would recommend keeping the laces in for the best possible fit. These are not particularly narrow so are one of the better options currently on the market for those with wider feet.

The Puma Future range does come up slightly long so those who prefer a snug fit may be better off going half a size down. We found that a half size down fit us better than true to size.

Design

The Puma Future Z 1.4 is technically a mid-cut boot with the slightly high collar, but we would say it sits on the borderline between low and mid. The upper features texturing called ‘Advanced Creator Zones’. These are most pronounced on the medial side and geared towards aiding dip and swerve when striking the ball and the slightly subtler zone on the lateral side is to help with ball control.

The medial texturing in particular is fairly noticeable but cannot be said to make a significant difference on the ball. The studs are something of a hybrid between the conical shape that are best suited for AG and bladed studs that work much better on FG with the top of the studs rounded with a sharper bottom.

On the pitch

The emphasis here is on creativity. While not remarkable, the soleplate allows for quick pivots while also offering enough an aggression that is suited to players who look to play quickly. 

The combination of the lockdown from the compression band and the lightweight upper makes you feel as though you are barely wearing boots at all and is perfect for agile players looking to manoeuvre quickly into positions where they can make a difference for their team.

Summary

The Puma Future is a range that continues to go from strength to strength for a brand that has significantly closed the gap between themselves and the traditional big two in this market. At a price lower than all of the top-tier options from Nike or Adidas, the Puma Future is difficult to argue with.

More football boot reviews

Nike Mercurial Superfly XI boot review: This is one of the best lightweight boots Nike have ever released

Adidas Predator Accuracy + review: Are these the best laceless Predators EVER?

Skechers SKX 01 review: Harry Kane's new boot sponsor entered the market with a bang, but are they any good?

New Balance Tekela V4 Pro review: Are these the best laceless boots on the market?

Adidas Copa Pure 2.1 review: Taking football boots back to the future

Adidas X Crazyfast.1 review: Are these the best speed boots about?

The Adidas Copa range is truly iconic and, in the Copa Mundial, boasts the best-selling football boot of all time. 

Since 2016, adidas have released a modernised version of its most historic boot alongside the Mundial and the Copa Pure 2 is the latest iteration of this series. Worn by the likes of Bernardo Silva, Paulo Dybala and Rodrigo Bentancur, the Copa Pure 2.1 is an improvement on its predecessor, the first version of the Pure.  

But how well does it stack up compared to previous generations and the best football boots on the market? We tried a pair of Copa Pure 2.1 in SG to find out.

How we tested the Adidas Copa Pure 2.1

We wore a pair of Copa Pure 2.1 on grass. 

The soft-ground version that we tried is only suitable for wet, muddy natural grass pitches, but Adidas do of course also offer a firm ground option.

Comfort and fit

The Copa Pure 2 is a slight update of the Copa Pure released earlier this year and some subtle differences allow for what amounts to a good enough upgrade to justify a change so soon.

Comfort is imperative for a Copa and the Copa Pure 2.1 delivers spectacularly in this regard. The calf leather in the forefoot and towards the midfoot of the upper is soft out of the box and the synthetic material that makes up the rest of the boot is brilliantly leather-like. 

The padded heel area gives extra cushioning and contributes to what is a boot with a very traditional feel. 

We went true to size for this and would recommend doing so for the best fit.

Design

Adidas are now the only of the three main brands to offer a natural leather boot with Puma and Nike opting for synthetic alternatives. 

The Fusionskin technology used on the last few versions of the Copa and updated for the Pure involves a combination of natural leather and a soft synthetic material. Adidas have switched from kangaroo to calf leather for the last couple of versions of the modern Copa and this has seemingly allowed for a greater proportion of the boot to be leather. 

A major criticism of the Copa Sense (the last Kangaroo leather modern Copa) that the Copa Pure replaced was that very little of the upper was actually made from leather – this is certainly not the case with the Copa Pure 2. This means the boot is now unique among the bigger brands. 

The soleplate is one that was first seen on the discontinued Nemeziz and is a no-frills outsole that does its job well. 

We tried an ‘SG-Pro’ version that features a combination of six metal studs and five plastic ones – this mixed configuration is now most common on soft ground football boots.

In a market filled with boots with ‘one-piece’ uppers, the Copa Pure 2.1 features a separated tongue and added to the more ‘old school’ shape of the boot means it is a great option for those with wide feet.

On the pitch

The quilted upper on the Copa Pure 2.1 provides about as padded of a boot as can currently be found among the best football boots on the market. This makes them a great choice for every type of player, but especially defenders. 

Protection is an area that modern boots have somewhat abandoned, but this boot offers this at a level that makes it something of a throwback. This does mean that they feel slightly bulkier than most modern offerings but for those who value a traditional experience these are absolutely perfect. 

This padding also translates to a soft touch on the ball when controlling and passing. Where the modern Copa differs from its heritage counterpart is the extra emphasis on agility in addition to touch – Bernardo Silva and Paulo Dybala are two of the players that Adidas have chosen as the face of the line and encapsulate this. 

The torsion soleplate borrowed from the Nemeziz is where this is best seen with the combination of the rounded head and bladed tip of the plastic studs making twisting effortless but also adding some aggression.

Summary

It is fair to say that with the Copa Pure 2.1, Adidas have gone back to the future. This is a modern pair that stays very true to its traditions and offers an experience that has become noticeably rare in the world of football boots.

As its name suggests, the Adidas X Crazyfast.1 is engineered for speed, and is the latest version of the former F50 Adizero range. 

Consistently one of the best football boots on the market, the Adidas X Crazyfast.1 is no exception. Aimed at attacking stars with pace to burn, the X range has been worn by some of the most devastatingly quick players to grace the game in recent times, such as Gareth Bale and Mohamed Salah. 

Thankfully, the Crazyfast.1 continues this tradition of raw speed, with slight modifications bringing about marked improvements. While targeted at speedsters, that's not to say those slightly slower off the mark can indulge in what these boots have to offer. Goalkeepers Kepa Arrizabalaga and Guglielmo Vicario don these, with Luke Shaw and Benjamin Pavard also X Crazyfast.1 wearers. 

How we tested the Adidas X Crazyfast.1 boots

We wore an FG pair of the Crazyfast.1 on grass. This version is best worn only on firm, natural grass pitches. The bladed studs on its aggressive soleplate mean that use on artificial ground can be dangerous. 

Adidas, of course, also offer an AG option so these should be used when playing on these surfaces.

Comfort and fit

The Crazyfast replaces the outgoing X Speedportal and improves on them in virtually every category. Where the upper of the Speedportal was quite rigid, the Crazyfast is extremely pliable. 

There is some very slight stiffness to begin with but within about half an hour they are fully broken in and soften up nicely. The lacing is deep with the top lace hole further back and slightly lower on the foot than most boots and so the boot wraps your feet tightly leaving you feeling completely locked in. 

Although there have been narrower iterations of the X, this is still not a boot that will work well for those with very wide feet. We would recommend going true to size for the best fit.

Design

The upper is made from a material adidas are calling Aeropacity Speedskin which is protected by an Aerocage casing. The result is an extremely thin, almost plasticky, semi-translucent boot that provides the lightweight minimalism that is important in the speed category.

The soleplate was one of the better aspects of the X Speedportal and this is carried over for the Crazyfast. The chevron shaped bladed studs provide good aggression even if not as aggressive as those on latest Nike Mercurial Superfly. 

The aeroplate inserted into the sole helps give excellent energy return – this plate was previously made of carbon fibre in the first few X Speedportal releases but has since been a plastic that does much of the same job. 

This is a boot with speed as its primary concern and the minimalist approach taken by Adidas lends itself well to this – players looking to ghost past their markers do not want to feel tied down by their boots and the stripped back Crazyfast.1 understands and delivers that.

On the pitch

This is about as thin as a boot as you are likely to find on the market. Add to this the lockdown provided by the lacing system and the flexibility of the Primeknit collar and you get a boot that feels almost like you aren’t wearing one. 

This, of course, comes with virtually no protection at all so if a bruising defender steps on your foot in these you will really feel it. The responsiveness of the soleplate means you can push off quickly and the stud pattern gives the right amount of traction for moving quickly across the surface.

Summary

The Crazyfast.1 is a marked improvement on the X Speedportal and does a good job of providing a lot of the things that are needed from a boot in the ‘speed’ category.

As a cheaper alternative to the Crazyfast+ and the latest Nike Mercurial Vapor and Superfly, this is an option very worth considering.

The Puma King is a boot with a heritage that can rival almost any other: Pele leading Brazil to World Cup glory, Diego Maradona waltzing through England’s defence with his feet and then beating it with the Hand of God, Johan Cryuff pulling off the very first televised Cryuff turn.

All of these iconic moments have the Puma King in common. This year marks the first time that Puma have moved away from a natural leather upper for the boot and have instead opted for ‘K-Better’, their synthetic material created to mimic the fit and feel of kangaroo leather.

This is a significant change, and we tried an FG/AG pair to see just how well it and all the other features of the Puma King Ultimate work. So where do they rank among the best football boots around right now?

How we tested the Puma King Ultimate

We tried these a couple of times on 4G and natural grass pitches.

The soleplate is not at all aggressive and features entirely conical studs so lends itself well to playing on artificial ground. Puma classify these as FG/AG meaning they can be worn on both surfaces but they are slightly better suited to grass. 

Comfort and fit

The biggest question mark for these boots was always going to be the performance of the K-Better upper in comparison to leather.

The upper is soft, pliable and comfortable pretty much out of the box but does not quite fully reproduce the feeling of wearing a natural leather boot. Brands do seem to be leaving behind the use of animal leather – Nike have stopped using kangaroo leather on the Tiempo and Premier ranges and less and less leather has appeared on the Adidas Copa range in recent years. 

The boots do come up ever so slightly (perhaps a quarter size) small so depending on preference it may be worth going up a half size. We wore these true to size and they were very close to being too tight. If the boots were natural leather, then they would stretch slightly and create a perfect fit but with a synthetic upper this is much less of a possibility, so this is worth noting. 

Design

The Puma King is Puma’s equivalent to Adidas’s Copa Mundial and has traditionally suited much of the same players.

These were a boot for the traditionalists – a comfortable, classically designed boot with enough padding to offer protection and wide enough to fit those with even the widest feet. A boot for no-nonsense players with a touch of class. While classic design and some of the comfort remain, the lightweight, slim and narrow upper means this boot is one that is going through a very clear transition.

This is a ‘heritage’ boot with characteristics that one might expect from a modern speed boot. It is not as narrow as a Nike Mercurial and will still fit most but those with very wide feet might have slightly more trouble than you would expect from a Puma King. The boot also does not offer that much in the way of protection.  

On the pitch

This all means that these are perhaps best suited for a modern playmaker.

The conical studs allow you to twist and turn easily, the thin and lightweight upper creates a closeness with the ball and eliminates any excess bulk for players who need to move quickly and decisively to make things happen for their team.

Here, Puma have made a boot for a slightly different type of player: dragging their most iconic boot into the modern game. 

Deal

Summary

Overall, the Puma King Ultimate could be said to encapsulate the question of how brands will manage the transition from using animal leather to more sustainable, synthetic alternatives while also retaining some of the aspects that have made the boots resonate with generation after generation.

Price-wise these retail for £190 – a good saving if compared to boots such as the Nike Tiempo and Adidas Copa Pure. The Copa Pure is probably the best comparison as a modernised version of a heritage pair and a £60 saving (the Copa Pure+ retails for £250) for the Puma King Ultimate means they do offer some value for money.  

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New Balance Tekela V4 Pro review: Are these the best laceless boots on the market?

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New Balance’s reputation and history in the sneaker industry is long and distinguished but, despite making them since the 1980s, they are largely considered a new kid on the football boot block. 

Their progress has been rapid and with boots such as the New Balance Furon V6 and now the Tekela V4, they have to be considered a viable alternative to the more established football boot brands.

The Tekela is New Balance’s laceless model (a laced variation is also now available) and previous versions perhaps illustrated the work that the brand had to do in order to bridge the gap between them and the likes of Nike, Adidas and Puma. 

With the V4, not only has that gap been bridged, but New Balance have a legitimate claim to having the best laceless boot currently available: in fact, are they among the best football boots in general right now?

How we tested the New Balance Tekela V4 Pro

We wore the FG version of the NB Tekela V4 Pro a handful of times on both 4G and grass pitches. As with all FG soleplates, these were far more suitable to grass but the conical studs in the forefoot on the FG soleplate of the Tekela mean that they are a passable option on artificial surfaces in the absence of a specialised AG alternative.

Comfort and fit

The upper is made from New Balance’s Hypoknit material and is thin, lightweight and extremely flexible. This gives the boot a truly barefoot sensation that rivals any laceless boots currently on the market. The upper feels reminiscent of some of the early knitted boots such as the Nike Superfly 4 and has combined this with laceless technology to create the most sock-like of ‘sock boots’.

These boots are on the slim side but will fit most foot types including those with wider feet. Crucially, New Balance offer a wide fit option for all of their boots so width is definitely not a limiting factor for the Tekela V4 Pro or any of New Balance’s offerings.

Lockdown is one of the most important factors when considering laceless boots and the lockdown here is good. A laceless boot will never hug your foot in the same way as one with laces but the laceless system of the V4 Pro leaves you feeling more than adequately locked-in.

Design

The design is sleek with a dimpled texturing across the whole boot and a ridged texture on the inside and outside of the boot. These do not add any performance advantages but contribute to what is a very good-looking boot.

On the pitch

The soleplate is unique in its inclusion of shorter bladed studs around the outside geared towards extra grip and stability. It also adds some extra aggression to the soleplate. 

These are aimed at creative players and the conical studs in the forefoot combined with angular studs in the heel help facilitate quick turns without any loss of traction for players looking for that half a yard of space to unlock a defence. 

The thin laceless upper also brings crafty, techincal players closer to the ball.

Deal

Summary

This is an extremely lightweight boot contributing to the overall minimalist feel. They are also much lighter than the New Balance V3 and improve on these in almost every category.

We would recommend going true to size.

Price is a major plus for the NB Tekela in comparison with its direct competitors in the bigger brands.

These retail for £40 less than the laceless adidas Predator boot – this added to the quality of the boot means they represent a great alternative to the more established option.

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Skechers SKX 01 review: Harry Kane's new boot sponsor entered the market with a bang, but are they any good?

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To say Skechers have entered the boot market with a bang would be an understatement. The SKX 01 launched with a mystery, unbranded prototype before it was fully unveiled by Skechers’ new poster-boy – England men’s captain Harry Kane.

In October Kane exclusively told FourFourTwo: "We started talking about six months ago. Skechers contacted me and my team, and told us about what they wanted to do. I’ve been really impressed with them. I’m really proud to be the face of the boots, and I’m happy I’ve been scoring goals in them already.

"I think it was a surprise to a lot of people around the football world to see Skechers come into the football market but I think that's what makes it so exciting."

A string of other well-known players have followed suit, including Oleksandr Zinchenko and Anthony Elanga. The brand’s intent in the market is clear but how good is their first elite football boot? We tried a pair of the Skechers SKX 01 in FG to find out just that.

So are these boots worth the hype? Are they some of the best football boots around right now?

How we tested the Skechers SKX

We tried these a few times on both natural grass and 4G pitches and the boots took well to both surfaces.

Comfort and fit

The boot is on the lighter side and will suit most foot types comfortably – including those with wide feet. This is actually perhaps one of the better boots on the market for those with wide feet. The upper is pliable and the boots are comfortable straight out of the box, needing little-to-no time to break in. 

The SKX 01 is Skecher’s ‘control’ silo aimed at technicians who are looking to get on the ball and create for their teams and the lightweight upper alongside a soleplate that offers bite without sacrificing the ability to pivot will suit players of this type.

Design

The boots bear some similarities to the Nike Phantom GT 1 & 2 with the shape, texture and soleplate all resembling the now discontinued Nike pair. The upper is made from Skechers ‘FitKnit’ material with a knitted upper reinforced with a slightly tougher outer skin. 

The boot is covered in what Skechers are calling Precise Strike Control (PSC) texturing for added grip and control on the ball. PSC consists of a series of micro dots and macro lines with the dots aimed at helping with control and the lines with long passing and shooting. However, while the material is undoubtedly grippy, these features are not likely to make a significant difference when actually controlling or striking the ball. 

On the pitch

Skechers do not currently offer an AG specific option for this boot so those who play primarily on artificial ground who wish to try a pair will have to go with the sometimes-risky option of an FG plate on AG. 

The soleplate is not overly aggressive, so these are passable on both ground types while being better for grass.

Summary

These retail for £195 so do represent a saving compared to the boots of the same category for the likes of Nike and adidas (the Nike Phantom GX retails for £234.99). This is wise from a brand that is new to the market whose aim is to entice people away from the established giants. 

We would recommend going to true to size for the Skechers SKX 01. 

Overall this is a very impressive first foray into the elite boot market from Skechers and the SKX 01 is already good enough to considered a viable, lower cost alternative to boots from the bigger brands. 

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This review of Sports Interactive Football Manager 2024 was conducted on a Macbook Air, with the game downloaded from Steam.

Video games aren't supposed to be real. They're supposed to be forms of escapism, whether you're building an ultimate team of iconic footballers of yesteryear, or you're a hedgehog collecting rings.

That being said, it just doesn't feel right that Switzerland won World Cup 2022 in this reviewer's FM23 save last season. It's not that we have anything against Switzerland – it's just not very likely. Well, Sports Interactive have taken steps to ensure that no such fantasy repeats itself. Unless you want it to.

The level of detail is such in Football Manager 2024 that things you didn't even consider needing an update have received one anyway. The Saudi Pro League, for example, has become the force of nature that it is in real life. Pep Guardiola's 'John Stones role' has been fully replicated, in one of the most subtly game-changing updates for years – now you can fully control your buildup shape – while set pieces have been revamped totally.

Previously, whipping balls near post to tall players with good heading stats was enough to rack up 20 goals a season from corners. Now, dead ball situations are simultaneously more in-depth and also, not your problem: set-piece coaches ask for your opinion, suggest their ideas and you can let your experts get on with it, while also being able to fully edit the setup should you wish. The FM team have clearly listened to FFT, who noted this as the most significant way the game could upgrade itself last year. 

The other headlines with this new game are subtle enough for casual players to greet with a shrug – but trust us when we say that having played FM24 for a few weeks now, we couldn't imagine going back to the previous version (and incidentally, you can now import previous saves from old FM games into 24!). 

The top three Japanese leagues are now fully licensed, giving the realism that's been so brilliantly realised in the Bundesliga and Champions League to new shores and undiscovered talents. Intermediaries are introduced to sell players, meaning that you'll never be left with an unsellable squad ever again. Players can be set targets, meaning that you don't have to promise that useless fringe star a position in your squad in 2028, only for him to underdevelop out on loan. 

And that's without touching on the match engine, which has seen noticeable improvements from last year, too. FM25 is set to be a bolder revolution in the series – but considering that FM24 is a mere evolution in comparison, it feels more updated than perhaps even diehard fans expected. 

It all adds up to a more realistic product – unless, of course, you use the new modes to wipe all summer transfers from the database before you begin. Could Tottenham Hotspur be even better, had they not sold Harry Kane? Could Manchester City achieve invincible status with reported targets Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice signed to the side? Alternately, you can watch players sign on the exact dates they did in real life, and play out reality as it happened. 

Football Manager has a knack for imitating the beautiful game through wonderkids, underdogs rising up the pyramid and 'Moneyball clubs' dominating. It's in the ways that you don't expect FM to be lifelike that it manages to surprise you, though. FM24 is another triumph in that respect and as the last of this current engine before a bigger update in FM25, this is the finest version of the simulation we know and love. Just so long as Switzerland don't romp to Euros glory next year, of course.

The Nike Mercurial Superfly 9 boot is the latest in one of the best-selling ranges in the market – and in its 25th anniversary, its popularity shows few signs of fading. 

Coming in a low-cut Vapor and mid-cut Superfly version, the Merc has long been considered by most as the pinnacle of the ‘speed’ boot category. Players with pace to burn who need a lightweight, minimal boot to complement their style and attributes have turned to this – and there are some big-name advocates of the brand. 

Thierry Henry, Didier Drogba and Ronaldo (both of them) are just a few of the many lauded names that have left defenders in their dust with Mercurials on their feet in the last 25 years and current speedster-in-chief Kylian Mbappe is continuing this tradition. No wonder these are some of the best football boots around right now. 

How we tested the Nike Mercurial Superfly IX boots

We wore the current Mercurial Vapor and Superfly in both FG and AG a few times on 4G and grass pitches. 

The FG soleplate on the Mercurial is one of the most aggressive on the market so despite the relatively short, bladed studs, these are not the best option on 4G. This added to the fact that the Mercurial AG soleplate is perhaps the best currently of its type on offer means that this is by far the best option for anyone who plays primarily on artificial surfaces with the FG best saved for natural grass pitches.

Comfort and fit

The only difference between the Vapor and Superfly is the inclusion of a ‘dynamic fit collar’ on the Superfly making the Superfly a mid-cut option compared to the low-cut Vapor. This provides little to no performance advantages and is much more of a style choice. It does, however, come with £20 extra in price so this is something to consider if choosing between the two.

These boots are narrow and so a less suitable option for anyone with slightly wider feet. This inaccessibility is arguably one drawback of the latest (and many previous) generations of the Mercurial. Comfort is not the primary consideration in speed boots but the pliable upper feels good on your feet and does not require much time to break in.

We would recommend going true to size for the Mercurial Vapor 15 and Mercurial Superfly 9.

Design

The Nike Mercurial Superfly IX includes an air zoom unit in the soleplate to add extra spring when pushing off and past opposition defenders. Reference to this can be seen with the word ‘Air’ emblazoned on the side of the boot. Whether this addition makes a truly significant difference is debatable, but it is unique and creates an experience that no other boot in the speed boot category or otherwise can offer.

The upper is made from Nike’s Vaporposite+ – a synthetic material covered in a grippy mesh. This feels a hell of a lot lighter than say, the Adidas Predator Accuracy+: the grip can be felt to the touch but is not likely to have any significant effect on the ball. 

Aside from the new air zoom unit, there's not a huge amount of difference between these and the previous generation of Mercurials with Nike sticking with many of the principles that have made the silo so loved.

Naturally, the look of these boots is as stunning and simplistic as you'd expect from this classic range. 

On the pitch

You really can unlock your inner Mbappe with these bad boys. 

Everything about them is built for speed – and as we have come to expect of the Mercurial, this boot has an extremely thin and lightweight upper and helps to create the almost ‘barefoot’ sensation to which speed boots aspire.  

The Vaporposite+ upper is a slight refinement of the Vaporposite introduced with the previous iteration but is not dramatically different. The combination of the thin, lightweight upper, aggressive soleplate and the added bounce and improved energy return of the zoom unit makes the Mercurial once again a great option for pacey players looking to take off quickly and ghost past defenders.

Summary

The Nike Mercurial boots are legendary – and the latest iteration of Superflys are all-timers. The American brand haven't reinvented the wheel with this product, but they never needed to, given how great they already were. 

The Adidas Predator Accuracy + is the 20th in the series, with this boot now in its 29th year. It's come a long way, too. 

The Adidas Predator is always one of the best football boots on the market – and the Predator range is perhaps the most iconic and recognised among all boots. That's thanks in no small part to the big names that have donned its various iterations: the likes of David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Zinedine Zidane all wrote themselves into football history armed (footed?) with a pair of Predators.

The generations of old in the Pred backcatalogue fell into the ‘power’ category, aimed at players (primarily midfielders) who sought to dominate the game from the middle of the park. As the game has changed, so too has the targeting of Adidas’s best-known silo and since the reintroduction of the Predator in 2017, it has formed part of the ‘control’ category: still aimed at those looking to stamp their authority on matches but with far greater emphasis on doing so with a degree of finesse. The likes of Jude Bellingham, Pedri and Alessia Russo now form its face and personify this.

How we tested the Adidas Predator Accuracy +

We wore the FG version of the latest Adidas Predator Accuracy+ a few times each on 4G and on grass pitches.

Due to the longer, more aggressive FG studs these are far more suitable to natural grass pitches than any artificial surfaces but can (relatively) feasibly be worn on 4G at a push in the absence of a specialised AG option – although this is certainly not something we would recommend.

Comfort and fit

These are, of course, a laceless boot – and that comes with its own questions. The lockdown on the Predator Accuracy is good despite the lack of laces and we felt genuinely locked in when wearing these. There are laceless boots that offer better lockdown, but this is certainly not a negative of the Accuracy.

It is always worth trying a laceless pair before buying because their suitability will depend almost entirely on foot shape. The Accuracy is, though, a lot less narrow than many modern boots so should be suitable for most foot types including those with wider feet.

Naturally, the major drawback with this and any laceless boot is the absence of the adjustability that comes with laces. These will either work with your foot or they won’t, and this divide is far greater than with laced options. This also leads on to a drawback of the Accuracy+ in terms of price. 

These retail for £50 more than both the mid and low-cut laced options and the extra money for what is arguably not a superior product is a mark against the boot. We would go as far to as to say that the laced versions would be a better option for most people so the premium for the laceless experience becomes a definite negative. 

Design

The Predator Accuracy replaces the much-maligned Predator Edge and improves on these in almost every category. The boot sees Adidas return to the ‘Hybridtouch’ upper seen on some generations of the F50: a synthetic material that is designed to mimic the fit and feel of leather and gives the latest Predator a soft, pliable comfort straight out of the box. 

This is in stark contrast to the rigid, clunky upper on the Predator Edge. Hybridtouch also gives the boots a more padded feel compared to most modern offerings and so offers ever-so-slightly more protection than most boots currently on the market without any excess bulk. 

They also feature the famous Predator rubber elements from the midfoot to the toe-box which are designed for added grip on the ball especially when passing and shooting. While these will not make you a better player, they are unique and a slight difference in grip can be seen compared to other boots. The boots also sport a Three Stripe design reminiscent of that seen on the Accelerator – arguably the most iconic incarnation in the Predator series.

On the pitch

The Predator Accuracy wisely retains the most positive feature of the outgoing Predator Edge with its soleplate and stud pattern. The bladed studs offer a responsiveness suited to the nimble, creative players to which these boots are most suited.

The studs are not as aggressive as those on boots in the ‘speed’ category – such as the Adidas X and Nike Mercurial ranges – but sit neatly between these and the much more traditional stud patterns of the likes of Adidas’s own Copa Mundial and the Nike Tiempo. The Predator Accuracy + is perfect for players whose games are not built around speed but who need to be able to twist and turn quickly to create space to dictate for their teams. 

Summary

Overall, this is an excellent boot. It's undoubtedly the best Predator since Adidas reintroduced the model in 2017 and indeed the best laceless Predator to date.

We would recommend going true to size for the Predator Accuracy +.

In the early 2000s, David Beckham's Adidas Predator were the boots of the moment – but they weren't for everyone, drawing criticism from certain circles for the materials that they were made from. 

Traditionally, kangaroo leather has been a popular material to use in football boots. It offers durability, comfort and certainly looks nicer than the more futuristic plastic that certain brands have opted for this century, sure – but there's certainly a moral issue for many. Even if you're not vegan, you may choose not to wear fur: and what's the difference between that and animal leather? 

Fortunately, k-leather is no longer the unrivalled material that it once was. Synthetic options have improved dramatically in the past 20 years – and the Devista Vegan boot from Sokito is proof. A fully vegan football boot that offers the same level of luxury without scrimping on the look, the Devista Vegan is the first football boot to be certified by the Vegan Society. It looks and feels like a regular boot – but the technology of the future in every stitch. So where do they rank among the best football boots around right now?

How we tested 

These boots were tested in the park for a kickabout on regular, boring old grass. The surface was somewhat wet after yesterday's rain and but the grass wasn't too long for the ball to zip across the surface. Just how we like it.

Comfort and fit

Perhaps the biggest question with any vegan boot is how the leather is going to feel in comparison to your average kangaroo boot. Within minutes of wearing the Devistas, however, we'd practically forgotten the USP.

Just as Quorn burgers are getting more and more like the real thing, you can't actually tell that Sokito have used 100% vegan materials with this one. The Devista is soft on the foot, stretches when you move – unlike a lot of synthetic materials found in lighter weight boots – and it feels high quality. If Sokito used substitute materials, it certainly doesn't feel that way.

One underrated aspect with these ones are that they're easy to put on, too. There's no shoehorning needed: they slip on, they stay on and unlike a lot of high-range football boots, they don't feel far too snug around your feet. 

But maybe the most surprising thing about these boots is quite how light they are. You obviously shouldn't judge a book by its cover but they certainly don't look like they were build for speedsters: yet the Devistas are remarkably lightweight on your feet, despite looking like premium leather to the eye. Deceiving (in a good way).

On the pitch

Look at these boots and you could imagine them being donned by an Italian midfield metronome in the 90s. Unsurprisingly, they stand up to the Pirlo test nicely.

The Devistas are lovely to launch a cross-field sweep with, thanks to the pads on the front of the boot. Not only in distribution, the soft material all over the boot make them lovely to control a pinged pass with from any angle – and the shape of these boots makes them perfect for hitting a ball with any part of your foot since there are no focused zones, like on a Predator.

The stud-plate is sturdy and gives ample grip on the grass, too: as mentioned, we had a slightly slippy surface and didn't feel in danger of a fall in the Devistas in the slightest. The Devistas feel strong, all right: the kind of boot that your dad would approve of, but with the kind of softness to them, too, that can bring out the deftness in your game.

But though the Devistas feel classic, they feel at home in the modern game. It's easy to turn, change pace and swivel in these things: they feel lightyears ahead of boots from even 10 years ago. These are way lighter than some models of boots specifically designed to be lightweight and rapid. That's very impressive. 

They're a real Jack-of-all-trade model: whether you're a centre-forward or centre-back, creative wide man or destructive cruncher, they stand up to most tasks admirably. 

Design

Wisely, Sokito have chosen not to overload the Devistas with fancy flourishes all over. This is a no-nonsense boot that does the talking on the pitch rather than on the shelves – and they look sleek, mature and sensible to match.

Your eyes are therefore drawn to the stitching and the stud-plate with these. The stitching is really subtle, design-wise, and looks great up close, with the stud-plate offering the flash of colour.

And while it would have been all-too-easy for Sokito to go green with the colour on this one – it's vegan, y'know – they've gone with a bright orange shade. It recalls boots of the early 2010s, thinking specifically about the shades in Nike's World Cup boots for South Africa and Adidas's F50s of around that time – but it still feels contemporary on the Devistas.

There are whiteout versions of the boots, too. Those ones are our favourites. 

Summary

Sokito obviously aren't one of the big hitters of the football boot world but they've constructed a boot that can compete with some of the most established boots in the world. Given that there isn't a particular focus on any role in the game or type of player that these boots should be worn for, it's ever more impressive.

They feel great, they play great and they look particularly good, too. With football moving away from k-leather and embracing vegan materials, these might just be the go-to boots to invest in.